A late-night drive through Romeoville turned tragic early Sunday when a pedestrian was hit and killed on the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 near Weber Road, according to the Illinois State Police. Troopers rushed to the scene shortly after midnight, and a second, separate crash nearby was later reported, though that one did not result in injuries.
Crash details
State police said troopers responded to the southbound lanes of I-55 near Weber Road at about 12:39 a.m. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. A separate collision on the same stretch involved three vehicles but caused no injuries, officials said.
All southbound lanes were shut down, and traffic was diverted onto Illinois Route 53 while investigators and cleanup crews worked the scene. The interstate did not fully reopen until a little after 5 a.m., as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Why this stretch matters
The I-55 and Weber Road interchange went through a major overhaul and was rebuilt into a diverging-diamond design, officially reopening in 2022 as part of a roughly $96.7 million project aimed at improving safety and easing congestion, according to IDOT.
Even with that facelift, local coverage and residents have continued to flag serious crashes along this corridor, including a January wreck that smashed through a sound barrier and sent a vehicle tumbling onto I-55. That earlier incident and its aftermath were covered by ABC7 Chicago, underscoring lingering concerns about how drivers navigate this busy stretch.
Investigation ongoing
The Illinois State Police are still investigating the deadly collision. Officials have not released the pedestrian's name or explained why the individual was on the roadway at that hour. Troopers and local emergency crews handled traffic control until the scene was cleared and all lanes could reopen, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
What drivers should know
Anyone driving through Romeoville should be ready for sudden delays near the Weber Road interchange whenever a crash or emergency shuts down lanes. Police say motorists should follow posted detours and any directions from officers on scene.
For background on the I-55 and Weber Road interchange project and how it is supposed to handle current and future traffic, the Village offers a detailed overview on its information page: Village of Romeoville.
