Crime & Safety
Illinois Tollway Employee Struck and Killed on I-294 Identified
Veteran tollway employee killed while performing duties on I-294 is a 48-year-old Monee man, officials say.
ALSIP, IL -- An Illinois Tollway worker was struck and killed on I-294 near Alsip on Monday afternoon. The employee, identified as David M. Schwarz, 48, was performing his regular duties when he was apparently struck by a tractor-trailer truck. Illinois State Police are investigating.
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov said Schwarz served as a roadway equipment operator and laborer since beginning his career for the tollway in March 1992. Schwarz was married and the father of two children. Bedalov called Schwarz’s death a “heartbreaking loss.”
“The Illinois Tollway Board and all Tollway staff are extremely saddened by the loss of our co-worker and colleague,” Bedalov said. “He was a respected and valued member of the Tollway.”
Schwarz lived in Monee. He was walking back to his vehicle Monday afternoon after picking up debris along the right shoulder of I-294 near 127th Street in Alsip when he was sideswiped by a semi-truck. The truck did not stop, according to Illinois State Police.
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