One person was killed, and several others were seriously hurt early Sunday after a chain-reaction crash on the Eisenhower Expressway near Oak Park that shut down all outbound lanes and sent traffic through the western suburbs crawling.
Crash Details And Outbound Lane Closures
Illinois State Police responded to the scene on I-290 near Harlem Avenue in the early morning hours, where at least five vehicles were involved, according to ABC7 Chicago. Troopers confirmed at least one fatality along with multiple serious injuries.
All outbound lanes of the Eisenhower near Harlem were shut down while investigators worked the scene and crews cleared the wreckage, creating major traffic backups that rippled across nearby routes.
Investigation Underway
State police have not released the identities of those involved or a possible cause of the crash. As ABC7 Chicago reports, investigators remained on scene while traffic was diverted around the closure, and no charges or further details had been announced as of the initial report.
A Stretch With A Recent History Of Serious Wrecks
The Eisenhower has seen more than its share of tragedy lately. In one recent example, a Dec. 3 crash in Itasca left three people dead, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Serious crashes like these have led to lengthy closures that routinely disrupt morning and evening commutes across the region.
What Drivers Should Expect
Extended crash investigations on the Ike often mean long detours and plenty of frustration for anyone trying to get in or out of the city. NBC Chicago has noted that Illinois State Police sometimes post closure updates on X and that lanes can stay shut for hours while crews work.
Drivers planning to travel through the western suburbs on Sunday were urged to build in extra time, expect delays and keep an eye on official traffic alerts.
Officials had not yet released further information about the victims or contributing factors in the Oak Park crash. ABC7 Chicago provided the initial details on the state police response, and this story will be updated as authorities share more.
