Expressways Recover From Morning Chaos
Multiple wrecks send injured to hospitals, tie up roadways
Updated 12:41 PM CST, Mon, Dec 22, 2008
Icy roads are blamed for at least 10 crashes on area roads early Monday morning, slowing traffic across the board and frustrating commuters trying to get a shortened workweek started.
The Elgin-O’Hare Expressway was re-opened following a series of spinouts and crashes on the icy roadway.
Multiple crashes and spinouts were reported about 5 a.m., shutting down the eastbound lanes between Lake Street and Gary Avenue in Hanover Park, according to Illinois State Police Elgin District Trooper Delila Garcia.
Three minor injuries were reported, although no one was hospitalized, Garcia said.
Early Monday a 12-vehicle crash shut down the eastbound lanes of the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway between Lake Street and Gary Avenue in Hanover Park. Cars spun out into retaining walls and ditches and were strewn over all lanes.
Mike Lorber reported from Sky 5 that five ambulances were at the scene of the crash. An added concern at the scene, he said, was that cars that have been sitting in standstill traffic for so long that their cars are dying and those people are left sitting in subzero temperatures as they wait for assistance.
Also, a rollover vehicle crash on the inbound Kennedy Expressway near Division shut down some of the lanes there.
A six-car accident on the Eisenhower Expressway at Sacramento Avenue temporarily closed all in-bound lanes. Injuries were described as minor. Traffic was backed up to Cicero Avenue for a time.
Meanwhile, on the outbound Stevenson, a rollover accident just past LaGrange Road was blocking two left lanes. Another vehicle hit the car that rolled over and injuries were reported there.
Check traffic, travel times and weather conditions from nbcchicago.com.
First Published: Dec 22, 2008 6:24 AM CST
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