Joliet, IL (April 9, 2026) – A morning crash involving a box truck left several people hurt, including a small child, on Wednesday, April 8, in Joliet. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near Plainfield Road and the Interstate 55 on-ramp.
Emergency units responded to the scene and found three vehicles involved in the collision. Authorities said a box truck traveling westbound attempted to turn left onto the ramp and struck an eastbound Mazda, causing it to overturn and hit a Ford Edge that was stopped in traffic.
The Mazda driver, a 29-year-old man, and two passengers, a 31-year-old woman and a 6-month-old child, were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the box truck and the Ford Edge were not hurt.
Plainfield Road was temporarily closed while crews cleared the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover.
Why Do Left-Turn Crashes Often Lead to Multi-Vehicle Incidents?
Left-turn crashes can create chain reactions when vehicles cross active lanes of traffic. If a driver misjudges timing or speed, the turning vehicle may collide with oncoming traffic, increasing the chance of secondary impacts.
When a vehicle overturns after the initial crash, it may strike other nearby vehicles. This can happen quickly, especially on busy roads where traffic is moving in both directions. Stopped or slow-moving vehicles can become part of the incident without warning.
Traffic flow and roadway design can also influence how these crashes unfold. Areas near highway ramps often involve merging and turning movements, which can increase the risk of multiple vehicles becoming involved in a single event.
