Inbound Kennedy Expressway Reopens after Crash Snarls Holiday Traffic on Northwest Side

Investigation Underway

Two people were injured after a vehicle hit at least one pedestrian on the Kennedy Expressway near Oriole Park on the Northwest Side on Wednesday night, snarling holiday traffic and frustrating travelers, the Illinois State Police said.

Crash Details

State troopers responded to the scene of a crash where a vehicle hit a pedestrian on I-90 near the Harlem Blue Line station at 5:43 p.m., police said. Two people were taken to a hospital with injuries, according to investigators.

Lanes Closed

Three lanes of traffic were initially closed on the inbound lanes of the expressway, according to authorities.

Secondary Route Disrupted

Multiple vehicles stuck in inbound traffic just before Oriole Avenue were driving onto the shoulder and turning the wrong way onto the Canfield Avenue entrance ramp to leave the expressway, causing chaos and congestion for holiday travelers, officials said. Traffic was largely clear after the Harlem Avenue turnoff.

Recovery Efforts and Reopening

The Illinois State Police and other officials worked to reopen the expressway as quickly and safely as possible, with two lanes of inbound traffic reopening within a few hours of the accident.

This incident serves as a reminder for drivers to stay vigilant and adapt to changing conditions on the roads, especially during peak travel seasons like the holiday period. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities hope to determine the cause of the crash and assign blame.

* What time did the accident occur?
Answer: The crash occurred at approximately 5:43 p.m. on the Kennedy Expressway near Oriole Park.
* How many people were injured in the accident?
Answer: Two people were injured in the incident, according to the Illinois State Police.
* How many lanes of traffic were initially closed on the expressway?
Answer: Three lanes of inbound traffic on the Kennedy Expressway were closed as a result of the incident.