Early Thursday on the Eisenhower Expressway, just past Ashland Avenue, a routine overnight drive turned chaotic when a multi-vehicle crash left at least one car in flames and four people injured.
The Chicago Fire Department said crews took four people to local hospitals. Two were reported in critical condition, and another was listed as serious, as first responders worked around the burned-out vehicle and scattered debris.
At least four vehicles were involved in the pre-dawn collision, according to CBS Chicago. All lanes have since reopened while investigators sort through what led up to the pileup. Officials have not released the names of those injured and have not said whether any charges might follow.
Ike Has Been Busy This Spring
The Eisenhower corridor has seen more than its share of drama lately. In May, a chain-reaction crash near Ashland left one person dead and multiple others hurt, according to an overnight Ike pileup report, and in June an isolated vehicle explosion triggered an FBI-led probe, per NBC Chicago. Together, the incidents are a stark reminder of how quickly trouble on I-290 can ripple through the city’s already fragile commute routes.
Investigation and What Drivers Should Know
Illinois State Police and Chicago emergency crews are handling the investigation and have not yet identified a cause, according to CBS Chicago. With lanes reopened, traffic on that stretch of the Ike has largely returned to normal, although officials note that even a cleared crash scene can leave behind lingering slowdowns for drivers trying to get across town.
