A 73-year-old Joliet woman has died after a violent multi-vehicle crash on the city's west side Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Her Subaru Forester flipped over after striking several vehicles at the busy intersection of Black Road and Essington Road during the late-afternoon rush. Officers were called around 4:20 p.m., and the crossroads stayed shut down for hours while crash investigators worked the scene.
Police say speed was a factor
According to ABC7 Chicago, Joliet police said the Subaru was moving at a high rate of speed when it slammed into a minivan near Black and Essington at about 4:18 p.m. The Subaru then hit two more vehicles before rolling over. ABC7 reported that three people were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center, including the Subaru driver, who was initially listed in life-threatening condition.
Death confirmed as investigation continues
The Herald-News reports that Joliet police were notified Wednesday morning that the 73-year-old woman had died after being transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center. Sgt. Dwayne English told reporters the Subaru was traveling east on Black Road and entered the intersection "at a high rate of speed" before striking a Chrysler Pacifica that was turning left. The Subaru then hit a Ford Explorer and a Jeep Liberty before rolling over.
Off-duty firefighter and crews helped at the scene
WJOL reported that an off-duty Joliet firefighter from Station 5 pulled the rollover victim from the Subaru as Engine 5 crews knocked down an engine fire in the vehicle. Firefighters also had to extricate the driver of the Pacifica, and WJOL said three patients in total were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment.
Police asking for dash-cam or surveillance video
Patch notes that investigators are urging anyone with dash-cam or surveillance footage of the crash to contact the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at (815) 724-3010. Officers kept the intersection closed for several hours while the Traffic Unit reconstructed the crash.
Part of a worrying stretch
The Black Road corridor has seen more than its share of serious wrecks lately. Last Sunday, a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 near Black Road shut down the highway, according to NBC Chicago. Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit investigators are still processing the latest scene and have not released additional details.
