A deadly afternoon crash between a passenger car and a semi-truck shut down a busy stretch of U.S. Route 6 near Joliet on Tuesday, bringing traffic to a standstill as police and emergency crews swarmed the scene. The collision happened in Joliet Township near Channahon Road and Brandon Road, where both eastbound and westbound lanes were blocked while investigators worked the crash site. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area as accident reconstruction teams moved in.
Officials' Initial Report
According to NBC Chicago, the crash occurred around 2:20 p.m. and involved a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck. Authorities said one occupant was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, though the victim's name has not yet been released. NBC Chicago reported that traffic in both directions on Route 6 was shut down while investigators examined the wreckage.
Road Closure and Detours
The Rockdale Fire Protection District took to social media to sound the alarm on the shutdown, warning that, "Roadway will be closed for sometime due to accident reconstruction investigation. Please avoid Rt. 6 and Brandon Rd due to major accident." The department said traffic was being diverted to Larkin Avenue while crews remained on scene and urged drivers to pick alternate routes until the roadway reopens, according to the district's Facebook page.
Investigation Underway
Police are treating the wreck as a major crash investigation, with accident reconstruction crews expected to be on site for some time, officials told NBC Chicago. Authorities also said they had not yet specified whether the person who died had been in the passenger vehicle or the semi-truck. No additional details were immediately released as officers continued to process the scene.
What Drivers Should Expect
Anyone traveling through the area is being told to brace for significant delays and a heavy emergency response presence. Local officials are asking drivers to follow posted detours, including the diversion to Larkin Avenue, and to avoid Route 6 and Brandon Road until the reconstruction work wraps up, according to the Rockdale Fire Protection District. Motorists are encouraged to check traffic apps or local outlets for the latest updates as cleanup and investigation efforts continue.
The Joliet Police Department and other responding agencies have not yet provided further information on the crash, and officials have not said when Route 6 will fully reopen. More details are expected once investigators complete the reconstruction and finish their work at the scene.
