UPDATE: A tragic sequence of events unfolded just after midnight on I-57 in Calumet Park, resulting in three fatalities and at least five injuries. The Illinois State Police confirmed that the chaos began with a multi-vehicle collision, followed by a second incident where a vehicle struck individuals outside their cars at the scene.
As the morning commute commenced, all northbound lanes of I-57 were closed at 119th Street, creating extensive traffic delays. Reports indicated backups stretched into West Pullman, Blue Island, and Posen. Traffic reporter Kye Martin of NBC 5 noted, “It’s locking you in as you come in from the south suburbs.” The roadway remained blocked until around 8 a.m., severely disrupting the morning rush hour.
The grim aftermath of the accidents saw three individuals pronounced dead at the scene, while five others were rushed to a local hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening. The identities of those deceased have not yet been released by authorities, and it remains unclear if weather conditions contributed to the tragic events.
In a heart-wrenching account, Arthur Thomas spoke to WGN-TV about the distressing call he received from his daughter, a survivor of the incident. “My daughter called me and told me that somebody had hit her, and she had tried to chase them down, and they ran her off the road,” he shared. His daughter’s harrowing experience underscores the personal impact of this tragedy.
Cleanup efforts at the crash site continued into the morning, with firefighters and tow trucks present to manage the scene. As of now, authorities remain actively investigating the incidents to determine the precise causes. Further updates will be provided as more information is made available.
For commuters and residents in the area, the implications of this incident are profound and immediate. Road safety and the need for heightened awareness during travel have never been clearer. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
