Illinois State Police

5 Critically Hurt in Chain Reaction Crash on Edens

At least five people suffered life-threatening injuries after a semi-truck failed to stop and crashed into several vehicles on Interstate 94 Sunday afternoon. 

According to police, the vehicles were stopped because of heavy traffic on the roadway. The semi-trailer, driven by 23-year-odl Jeffrie Baker of Chicago, failed to yield to the traffic, slamming into multiple cars. 

Police say that a total of four cars were involved in the collision with the semi. A Black Kia Sportage, driven by 36-year-old Robert Mendez, was struck, and Mendez was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, along with passenger Sara Vargas, according to police. 

Another vehicle, a Honda Odyssey van, was also struck, and three occupants of the vehicle, including a 13-year-old girl, were taken to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries. 

The occupants of two other vehicles, a Toyota Highlander and a blue Nissan van, managed to escape serious injury, according to police. 

The driver of the semi-truck was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, according to authorities. All lanes on the Eastbound Edens have been re-opened. 

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
Contact Us