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CHICAGO, Cook County, Ill., Sept. 20, 2026 — A man died early on Saturday morning, September 19, after a sedan struck him while he was crossing Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Police said the crash happened in the 1500 block of North Lake Shore Drive, near the North Avenue bridge.
Authorities said the crash occurred just before 1:15 a.m. A 23-year-old man had reportedly been walking on a sidewalk near the bridge before he crossed the roadway's southbound lanes. He then climbed over a median into the northbound lanes, where he was struck by a blue sedan traveling northbound, authorities said.
Chicago Fire Department crews treated the man at the scene for what police described as major injuries before he was taken to Northwestern Hospital. He was later pronounced dead there. His name had not been released as of Saturday, pending notification of family.
Police said no citations have been issued in connection with the crash. The Chicago Police Department's Major Accidents Unit is investigating, and authorities said no additional details were immediately available.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When Crossing Roads Like Lake Shore Drive
Pedestrians crossing multi-lane roadways outside of marked crossings face a different set of risks than those hit in typical intersection crashes. Wide roads with medians and higher speed limits, like many stretches of Lake Shore Drive, give drivers less time to react if someone steps or climbs into a travel lane unexpectedly, and they give pedestrians more distance to cover before reaching safety.
Nighttime crossings add another layer of risk. Reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to spot a person in dark clothing, and pedestrians usually misjudge how close or fast an oncoming vehicle is after dark. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023.
Adults in their 20s and 30s are frequently involved in these late-night crossing crashes, sometimes on roads not designed with pedestrian crossings nearby. Older pedestrians face separate risks tied to slower crossing speeds, while people using wheelchairs or mobility devices are especially exposed on roads lacking curb cuts or marked crossings altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a vehicle's speed affect a pedestrian's chances of survival in a crash?
Higher speeds sharply reduce survival odds. Pedestrians struck at higher speeds are far more likely to suffer fatal injuries than those struck at lower speeds, largely because there is less time for the driver to slow down and more force involved in the impact.
Where do most pedestrian crashes happen?
Most occur in urban areas, usually on roads with multiple lanes, higher speeds, or limited crossing points, rather than in rural settings.
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Yes. Reduced visibility for drivers and difficulty judging vehicle speed and distance make nighttime crossings more dangerous, particularly on roads without dedicated pedestrian signals.
What should someone do immediately after being hit by a car?
Call 911 right away, avoid moving unless it is unsafe to stay in place, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some injuries are not immediately apparent.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Chicago, IL
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so police and paramedics can respond. If you are the one who was hit, try to stay still until help arrives unless remaining in the roadway puts you at further risk.
Seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel able to walk away. Some injuries, including internal injuries and head trauma, do not show symptoms right away. Keep records of any treatment received and follow up with your own doctor in the days after the crash.
If you witnessed the crash, consider staying to speak with responding officers or leaving contact information, since witness accounts can help investigators reconstruct what happened. Chicago police, including the Major Accidents Unit in cases involving serious injury or death, rely on these accounts alongside physical evidence at the scene.
