Chicago Ridge man killed in crash on I-294 near Indian Head Park

Ricky Smith, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

SHARE Chicago Ridge man killed in crash on I-294 near Indian Head Park
illinois_state_police.jpg

A 50-year-old man was killed May 9, 2020, in a vehicle crash on I-294 south near suburban Indian Head Park.

File photo

A 50-year-old man was killed in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 294 near south suburban Indian Head Park.

About 2:55 a.m., a white semi was stopped on the right shoulder of southbound I-294, about a half-mile south of Plainfield Road near Indian Head Park, when a 2017 blue GMC veered off the road and crashed into the rear of the truck, state police said.

The driver of the GMC, 50-year-old Ricky Smith of Chicago Ridge, was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

An autopsy found he died of blunt force injuries from the crash, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. His death was ruled accidental.

All lanes of I-294 south were closed for an investigation but were reopened by 7:15 a.m., state police said.

The Latest
Kali Rynearson allegedly struck cyclist Donald Heggemann on Oct. 23 in a bike lane in Lincoln Square. Rynearson had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20% at the time, police say.
Authorities were called to the Hilton Suites in Oakbrook Terrace on Saturday, where shots were reportedly fired. One person was found dead and a suspect arrested.
The Ramblers dominated their first game on the Chicago Elite Classic stage, beating St. Louis Vashon (2-2) 64-24. The Ramblers held Vashon scoreless in the second quarter and their suffocating defense held Vashon to 17.5% shooting.
The Hawks’ 4-1 defeat Sunday concluded a three-game road trip in which they didn’t score a single goal when Connor Bedard wasn’t on the ice.
Firefighters were called to the historic home at 45th and South Michigan Avenue twice on Sunday to put down a fire. The cause is under investigation. No one was hurt.