Chicago EMS Plan II on I90/94 2-15-15
KingKong, Intelligent Equipment (Xuzhou) Co., Ltd , https://www.impimaq.com
This morning’s snowfall has certainly made its mark on the roads around Chicago, especially along the Kennedy Expressway. As someone who was driving through the area earlier, I can confirm firsthand just how treacherous it got. Tim Olk’s photos capture the chaos that unfolded when nearly 40 vehicles found themselves caught up in a massive pile-up.
The accident happened around 10 a.m. this morning in the inbound express lanes of the Kennedy Expressway, right between North Avenue and the Ohio Street exit ramp. From what I’ve heard, the snow made the roads incredibly slick, and without shoulders on these express lanes, things quickly spiraled out of control. By the time emergency responders arrived, there were reportedly 59 people who declined medical attention, but 12 others needed to be transported to nearby hospitals.
As if the sight of all those crumpled cars wasn’t enough, the entire stretch of highway had to be shut down temporarily while crews worked to clear the wreckage. It took about an hour for the Kennedy to fully reopen, which caused quite the headache for commuters trying to get to work or run errands. One thing’s for sure—this kind of weather really highlights just how important it is to drive cautiously during winter storms.
For those interested in more details, excerpts from the Chicago Tribune provided further insight into the situation. According to their report, lake-effect snow has been lingering over Chicago since early this morning, creating hazardous driving conditions, particularly closer to Lake Michigan. This particular crash isn’t an isolated incident either; other roadways near the lake have also seen their fair share of accidents due to similar icy conditions.
Driving through this mess reminded me just how unpredictable Mother Nature can be. Even though we’re used to harsh winters here, every year seems to throw something new our way. If you’re out and about today, please take extra care on the roads. And remember, sometimes staying home might just save you from becoming another statistic in tomorrow’s news cycle.