Tragic Expressway Shootings Disrupt Chicago Holiday Traffic

Two dead, one injured in separate incidents on Chicago expressways

Photo byErik McleanonUnsplash

CHICAGO - Early morning shootings on Chicago expressways disrupted Fourth of July holiday traffic, leaving two dead and one injured. Illinois State Police are investigating the incidents, which have added to the troubling tally of expressway violence in the state.

The first incident occurred around 2 a.m. on the Interstate 55 northbound ramp to southbound Interstate 94 at Halsted Street. Illinois State Police responded to a single-car crash involving a maroon-colored minivan. Upon arrival, officers discovered the driver had been fatally shot. The shooting forced the closure of all inbound lanes on the Stevenson Expressway near the southbound Dan Ryan ramp, snarling traffic for hours until the expressway reopened around 8:30 a.m.

A second shooting took place about half an hour later on the city's Far South Side, near 95th Street and Stoney Island Avenue. This incident also involved a possible road rage altercation. According to Illinois State Police, a tow truck driver had stopped to assist after a two-car crash when an argument escalated into gunfire.

Witnesses reported that a brick or rock on the roadway may have triggered the incident. One witness described the scene, stating that after an SUV collided with the truck, the driver, believing the tow truck operators had placed the obstruction, began shooting. The tow truck operators reportedly returned fire. One person died at the scene, while another was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in unknown condition.

Both shootings severely impacted morning traffic, though the roads were later cleared as investigations continued. The Illinois State Police are working to determine if road rage was a factor in either incident and have not released the identities of any of the victims.

Over the past year, there have been 101 shootings on interstates and expressways across Illinois, predominantly in Cook County. This figure represents a 52% decrease compared to the previous three years, reflecting ongoing efforts to curb such violence. Despite this reduction, the year has seen 12 fatalities from expressway shootings, including the two most recent deaths.

Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity as they continue to investigate these tragic events. The rise in road rage and expressway violence underscores the need for vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community.

As the investigations progress, Illinois State Police are seeking any information from the public that could help solve these cases and prevent future incidents. The tragic loss of life on the expressways highlights a persistent issue that authorities and residents alike are striving to address.