Fatal Crash In Joliet This Morning

Earlier this morning, Joliet Police responded to the southbound lanes of Route 53 north of West Sharp Road for a traffic crash with injuries just after 5:30am.  Following a preliminary investigation of the crash, it is believed that a Western Star 4900 semi tractor with trailer, driven by a 62-year-old resident of Manitoba, Canada, was stopped in the right lane of southbound Route 53, at which time a southbound Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by a 23-year-old male from Indiana collided into the rear of the semi truck’s trailer. It is believed that the semi truck’s hazard lights were activated, and that the driver had come to a complete stop in the lane of traffic to check his GPS, prior to the crash. The driver of the semi was uninjured.  

The Joliet Fire Department responded to the crash; however, the 23-year-old male driver of the Chevrolet Cobalt was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification and manner of death will  be determined by the Will County Coroner’s Office. The roadway was closed for a significant amount of time while a reconstruction of the crash took place.  

This crash remains under investigation by the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit. Anyone  with information or video regarding this crash is encouraged to contact the Traffic Unit at  (815)724-3010.

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Southbound Route 53 (also known as South Chicago Street) is blocked this morning at Schweitzer Road, due to a fatal accident, according to Joliet police.

Joliet police say the road could be closed for a significant period of time for investigation into the crash. The crash involved a car, stuck under a semi. The driver of the car is dead at the scene.

This accident is near the Route 66 Raceway.