Northbound vehicles were directed off the Dan Ryan Expressway after a wrong-way driver struck several vehicles near Garfield Boulevard.
CHICAGO — A fatal wrong-way crash shut down northbound express lanes on Interstate 94 Friday evening, forcing motorists off the Dan Ryan Expressway as emergency crews responded to a five-vehicle collision near 55th Street.
Illinois State Police diverted all northbound traffic at 67th Street after the crash, which occurred at about 5:48 p.m. The closure affected a stretch of one of Chicago’s principal expressways while police investigated the collision and crews worked to remove damaged vehicles.
State police said a driver entered the northbound side of I-94 near 31st Street but traveled south against traffic. The vehicle continued for several miles before striking multiple vehicles near 55th Street, also known as Garfield Boulevard.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities. Chicago Fire Department officials said two other people were taken to a hospital in critical condition. The names of the people involved had not been released.
Emergency personnel continued working at the scene into Friday evening. News video taken shortly after 7 p.m. showed multiple damaged vehicles on the expressway as police and fire units occupied several lanes.
The scene remained active around 7:30 p.m., nearly two hours after the crash. Officials did not immediately say when every affected lane reopened or how long traffic diversions remained in place.
Authorities also had not identified the wrong-way driver or said whether that person was among those killed or critically injured. It was not immediately known where the driver entered the interstate, beyond the general area near 31st Street, or what circumstances led to the wrong-way travel.
No citations, arrests or charges had been announced as of Sunday. State police continued investigating the crash, including the sequence of collisions and the actions of the drivers involved.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 2, 2026.