A routine late Saturday morning drive in northwest suburban Des Plaines turned deadly when a U.S. Postal Service truck crossed into oncoming traffic on Mannheim Road and crashed head-on into another car, killing a 65-year-old woman, authorities said. Both drivers were taken to nearby hospitals, and a portion of the roadway was shut down while first responders worked the scene. Des Plaines police say the crash remains under investigation.
The collision happened just after 10 a.m. in the 1700 block of Mannheim Road, when a southbound USPS truck drifted into the northbound lanes and struck a 2005 Chrysler Sebring driven by a Mount Prospect woman, according to NBC Chicago. Police identified the mail-truck driver as 48-year-old Leonard Moore and the other driver as 65-year-old Laurie Jensen of Mount Prospect. Both were transported to area hospitals, where Jensen later died from her injuries, authorities said.
Driver Says He "Temporarily Lost Control"
Des Plaines police said Moore told officers he "temporarily lost control" of the Postal Service vehicle before it crossed the center line and slammed into the Chrysler. Moore was cited for improper lane usage and is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Jan. 16 in Skokie court, according to the Des Plaines Police Department. Officials released these preliminary details to local news outlets while investigators continue to sort out what led up to the crash.
Another Grim Marker On A Busy Suburban Corridor
The fatal wreck adds to a series of serious crashes around Des Plaines and neighboring suburbs this year, underscoring long-running safety worries on heavily traveled corridors like Mannheim Road. Earlier this summer, a separate late-night crash in Des Plaines involving a semi-truck also ended in a fatality, according to local coverage of the late-night collision with a semi-truck.
What Happens Next
Authorities say the investigation into Saturday's crash is ongoing and that the citation issued to the Postal Service driver reflects only their preliminary findings so far. The cited driver is due in court in mid-January, and officials say they plan to release additional information as it becomes available, according to local reporting. Patch reported the citation and court scheduling details.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Des Plaines Police Department, as investigators continue to gather witness accounts and other evidence. The Daily Herald summarized the scene and provided the department's contact information for tips.
