Construction Worker Fatally Struck By Car On I-294 Near O'Hare

ROSEMONT, IL — A Bartlett man working on the Tri-State Tollway was fatally struck by a driver who crossed into a construction zone Friday night near O'Hare International Airport. Frank Caputo, 61, was working around 10:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-294 near Higgins Road when a black Infiniti entered two lanes closed for roadwork and hit him before colliding with a parked Chevy van, according to state police and the medical examiner.

Caputo was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and pronounced dead around 11 p.m. The driver, who has not been identified pending possible criminal charges, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

"This incident tragically emphasizes once again the importance of drivers slowing down in work zones for the safety of our construction workers, Tollway maintenance workers, state police and first responders," Illinois Tollway officials said in a statement expressing sympathies to Caputo's family, friends and co-workers.

Caputo, a father of three, was helping crews replace damaged concrete, according to WGN. The vice president of the concrete company released a statement to WLS sending condolences for the tragic loss.

No charges have been filed as of Saturday afternoon. Police have not said if drugs or alcohol were believed to have been involved in the crash.