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Chicago, IL (June 14, 2026) – An Illinois Department of Transportation worker was hurt early Sunday morning, June 14, after a KIA sedan struck an emergency traffic patrol truck on Interstate 94 near 37th Street in Chicago.
According to state police, the crash happened around 1:56 a.m. in the southbound express lanes of I-94. The worker had stopped to help a stranded driver and was standing outside the IDOT Emergency Traffic Patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated.
Investigators said the KIA lost control before hitting the patrol truck, pushing it toward the disabled car. The worker and the KIA driver were both taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The express lanes remained closed for several hours while crews cleared the roadway and examined what led up to the collision. Traffic resumed shortly before 6:30 a.m. Additional details about the accident had not been made public as of Sunday afternoon.
Police are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the wreck.
We hope those injured make a full and speedy recovery.
Why Emergency Traffic Patrol Vehicles Use Warning Lights on Highways
Emergency traffic patrol vehicles usually use flashing lights to alert approaching drivers to stopped vehicles, roadway hazards, or disabled cars along busy highways. These lights are meant to improve visibility, especially during overnight hours or in areas with limited reaction time for motorists.
Drivers are generally encouraged to slow down and move over when they see emergency or service vehicles stopped on the shoulder or in travel lanes. Reduced speed can help lower the risk of secondary crashes, particularly on expressways with fast-moving traffic.
Road conditions, weather, vehicle speed, and driver attention are also commonly reviewed after highway collisions involving roadside assistance vehicles. In many cases, investigators examine whether visibility or lane positioning may have contributed to what happened.
