A driver who was outside their vehicle was killed Friday morning after being struck in a hit-and-run crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway, according to Illinois State Police.
The fatal incident happened at approximately 2:40 a.m. in the inbound local lanes of the Dan Ryan near Garfield Boulevard on Chicago’s South Side. Police said a vehicle had stopped on the left shoulder, and the driver was outside the vehicle when a separate vehicle struck them.
The driver who struck the victim did not remain at the scene and instead fled the area, authorities said.
Emergency responders transported the injured driver to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, the victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Illinois State Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and the hit-and-run. Investigators are working to identify the vehicle that struck the victim and determine what happened immediately before and after the collision.
The incident serves as another reminder of the dangers facing motorists who stop along major highways, particularly during overnight hours. Drivers experiencing vehicle trouble are encouraged to move to a safe location when possible and remain inside their vehicle while awaiting assistance if conditions permit.
Authorities had not immediately released the identity of the person who died. Additional information is expected as investigators continue reviewing evidence and working to locate the driver who fled the scene.
The deadly crash has left a family mourning an unexpected loss while investigators work to determine the full circumstances of the incident on one of Chicago’s busiest expressways.
