Personal Injury Law

Chicago Expressway Partially Closed After Five-Car Crash

By Kris Briggs

The Northbound express lanes of Chicago?s Dan Ryan Expressway south of downtown were closed the weekend before Thanksgiving after a five-car crash left several people injured.

Thirteen ambulances responded to what turned out to be just a five-car collision on Saturday afternoon. The chain-reaction crash happened just after 2 p.m. in the northbound express lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway near West 31st Street, said an Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper.

feeder ramp, the trooper also said.

Fire Media Affaircs spokesman Quention Curtis said paramedics initiated an EMS Plan II response, which automatically sends at least five ambulances to the scene, about 2:30 p.m.

However, thirteen total ambulances responded. An Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper said that four vehicles were towed from the scene and several people sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Early reports indicate one child was taken in good condition to the University of Chicago Comer Children?s Hospital, two people were hospitalized in critical condition?one at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and another at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. Three other people were taken in good condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and one person was taken in good condition to Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center and Mercy Hospital, said Curtis.

The EMS Plan II was secured and all lanes were reopened about 3 p.m., authorities said. No citations have been issued as of early Sunday morning. State Police are investigating.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Chicago and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

7-car crash closes part of Chicago expressway, Chicago Tribune, November 21, 2009

13 ambulances sent to Dan Ryan crash on South Side, Sun Times, November 22, 2009

Full post as published by Illinois Injury Law Blog on November 25, 2009 (boomark / email).