Two people died and two others are seriously injured after a car plunged at least 70 feet off the Stevenson Expressway and landed on the road below on Friday morning.
The car was driving inbound on the Stevenson when Illinois State Police said at around 4 a.m. it lost control near Ashland Avenue and crashed into and over the concrete wall. The car landed on the street below at Archer Avenue and Robinson Street.
Four people were inside the car and two people, a 27-year-old man, and a 22-year-old woman, were killed, police said. The Chicago Fire Department said a 21-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition.
Officials have not released the identities of those who were killed.
It is yet to be figured out what caused the crash, but police said their preliminary shows the car was traveling at a high rate of speed. Police also confirmed there was a snow bank on I-55 where the vehicle lost control, but it is not clear if that was a factor in the crash.
Police said the car also struck a light tower and knocked out the lights on the Stevenson in both directions between Ashland and the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Safety advocates said this accident is a reminder of the dangers of traveling during winter weather. Drivers should be careful about speed, leave plenty of distance between cars, and ensure they don’t brake on ice to avoid skidding, sliding, and spinouts.
