A 20-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday night after losing control on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, slamming into a barrier and then being struck by an oncoming car, Chicago police said. The rider was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and later pronounced dead, and multiple lanes on the North Side were shut down while first responders worked the scene.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the crash was logged at about 7:22 p.m. in the 2200 block of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Police told CBS Chicago the rider lost control of the motorcycle, struck a barrier and fell into the southbound lanes, where he was hit by an oncoming vehicle. Authorities had not released the victim’s name as of Saturday night.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the 20-year-old suffered multiple injuries before being pronounced dead at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The paper notes that detectives from the CPD Major Accidents Investigation Unit are handling the probe, and officials have not publicly identified any suspects or announced charges.
Investigation under way
Chicago police confirmed that detectives from the Major Accidents Investigation Unit responded to the scene and are gathering evidence and witness statements, according to CBS Chicago. As of Saturday night, the department had not released additional details about what investigators have found.
Why the Drive draws scrutiny
DuSable Lake Shore Drive has long been a focus of safety reviews and a major redesign that city planners say is intended to reduce collisions and improve access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians. The city's North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Phase I Study outlines changes such as redesigned ramps, wider sidewalks and improved lighting that are meant to make the corridor safer and less expressway-like, according to the Phase I study.
This latest fatal crash adds to long-standing safety concerns along the Drive and comes as planners and local leaders continue to press for changes. Police say the investigation is ongoing and that further details will be released by the CPD when available.
