Tragedy struck on the Edens Expressway in north suburban Skokie early Tuesday morning, when a collision involving a semi and another vehicle led to a fatal fire, resulting in one death and another person being injured. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the accident occurred around 3:50 a.m. in the southbound lanes, just north of Touhy Avenue.
According to officials, the circumstances that led to the semi rolling over and subsequently catching fire remain unclear. The aftermath of the accident saw an unidentified individual pronounced dead after sustaining life-threatening injuries, and another person taken to an area hospital with unspecified injuries, the state police confirmed. In response, all southbound lanes were shut down, with expectations that they would remain closed until at least 8 a.m. to facilitate emergency response and investigation.
Further complicating the morning commute for drivers in the Chicago area, FOX 32 Chicago indicates that the crash led to major traffic delays. The Cook County medical examiner's office reported one fatality at the scene by 4:40 a.m., though details concerning the identity of the deceased have not yet been released. Meanwhile, rerouting efforts were in place as traffic in the inbound lanes was diverted off the expressway at Touhy Avenue.
As commuters faced disruptions, drivers heading southbound were recommended to exit at Dempster Street and take Skokie Highway as an alternate route. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, and officials have not specified if the person who died was traveling in the semi or the car involved in the accident.
