Hit-and-run driver arrested after fatally striking motorcyclist on Bishop Ford

A driver fatally struck a motorcyclist Friday on the Bishop Ford Freeway on the Far South Side.

A passenger vehicle struck the motorcyclist about 2:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-94 near 111th Street, Illinois State Police said.

Eric Smith, 42, was ejected off his motorcycle and pronounced dead at a hospital, state police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office has ruled Smith’s death an accident.

Officers found the car, which fled the scene, near the northbound Stony Island Feeder ramp, state police said. The 44-year-old male driver was also treated at a hospital.

State police initially said DUI charges were filed against the driver, but walked back those comments Friday afternoon, saying “the investigation is open and ongoing.”

Two rights lanes of I-94 were closed as authorities investigated, but all lanes were reopened at 6:36 a.m., state police said.

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