Fatality Follows Traffic Crash During Snowstorm in Des Plaines

One fatality was reported following a traffic crash on the Tollway in Des Plaines on Tuesday.

Des Plaines firefighters responded to a report of a severe traffic crash on the I-294 Tollway, in the northbound lanes north of Oakton Street, at 3:55 p.m. on March 5, Fire Chief Alan Wax stated in an email to Patch.

Firefighters found a car on the left shoulder that had sustained heavy damage when it was smashed between the median wall and a semi truck, Wax stated.

A male driver in the vehicle, the only occupant, was in cardiac arrest, Wax stated, and needed to be extricated due to the damage to the car.

“Firefighters and paramedics attempted to resuscitate the victim during extrication efforts and after, and transported him to Lutheran General Hospital,” Wax stated. “Sadly, however, the patient’s injuries were incompatible with life, and the patient did not survive.”

Wax stated that firefighters completed the difficult extrication within 13 minutes of arrival, and did a great job.

Because the Des Plaines Fire Department responded to a number of calls during the snowstorm on Tuesday, Wax stated, the Rosemont Department of Public Safety assisted Des Plaines firefighters with this call.

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