Two Injured in Dan Ryan Expressway Traffic Stop Flee and Multi-Vehicle Crash in Chicago, Illinois
2 people taken to custody after driver flees traffic stop, crashes in Chicago's Grand Crossing community
They tried to pull over a Chevrolet Uplander, but the driver did not stop — and went on to run a red light, state police said.
A traffic stop investigation near the Dan Ryan Expressway escalated into a multi-vehicle collision Sunday night, leaving two people injured and in police custody after the driver fled from Illinois State Police. The incident occurred at approximately 9:43 p.m. at the intersection of 71st Street and Wentworth Avenue, adjacent to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago's South Side. Illinois State Police troopers were initially investigating a separate crash when they attempted to stop a Chevrolet Uplander. The driver refused to comply and fled the scene, running a red light at the busy intersection before colliding with a Jeep Cherokee in traffic and a parked Honda Pilot. The Uplander carried six occupants, with three fleeing the scene on foot following the crash. Two individuals were apprehended by Illinois State Police with assistance from Chicago Police Department officers and transported to a local hospital for treatment of crash-related injuries. The whereabouts of the sixth occupant remain unclear. Witness Janese Robinson described hearing a loud bang and observing extensive police response that blocked surrounding streets. No additional injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Location and Infrastructure
The crash occurred at 71st Street and Wentworth Avenue, a significant intersection on Chicago's South Side adjacent to the heavily trafficked Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 94). This area represents a critical junction where local surface streets intersect with one of Chicago's primary north-south transportation corridors. The Dan Ryan Expressway carries substantial daily traffic volumes connecting downtown Chicago with southern suburbs, making adjacent intersections particularly busy during peak hours and weekends. The intersection features traffic control signals and serves as an access point for expressway on-ramps and off-ramps. Wentworth Avenue runs parallel to the expressway in this section, often experiencing spillover traffic from the interstate. The 71st Street corridor connects residential neighborhoods to the east with commercial areas and expressway access to the west. This location's proximity to the Dan Ryan makes it a common area for Illinois State Police traffic enforcement activities, as expressway incidents often require investigation on adjacent surface streets.
Legal Rights and Considerations
Under Illinois law, fleeing from police constitutes a felony offense that can result in serious criminal charges and enhanced penalties when bodily injury occurs. Vehicle occupants injured in crashes involving fleeing drivers may pursue compensation through multiple avenues, including the fleeing driver's liability insurance, their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and potentially through Illinois' Crime Victims Compensation Program. Illinois follows a comparative negligence standard, allowing injured parties to recover damages even if partially at fault, with compensation reduced proportionally. The state's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury, though criminal victim compensation claims have different timeframes. Potential damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Given the criminal nature of this incident, consultation with both personal injury and criminal law attorneys may be advisable for affected parties. Insurance companies typically investigate thoroughly when criminal activity is involved, potentially affecting claim processing timelines and coverage determinations.
Related Resources
- Illinois State Police District Chicago: (847) 294-4400
- Chicago Police Department: (312) 746-6000
- Chicago Fire Department Emergency Medical Services: 911
- Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Safety: https://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/safety
- Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 228-3368
- Chicago Department of Transportation: (312) 744-3600
- Illinois Rules of the Road: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving Illinois: (312) 346-9236
- Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Referral: (800) 252-8916