Joliet Man Dies After I-55 Semi Runs Him Over

A young man from Joliet lost his life after being struck by a semi tractor-trailer early Saturday on Interstate 55 around Bolingbrook, according to the Will County Coroner's Office. The victim was identified as Angel Punzo, 23, of Joliet. He was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, coroner's officials announced.

An Illinois State Police trooper told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper that the fatality occurred in the northbound lanes of I-55. The incident caused traffic congestion during the wee hours of the morning as Illinois State Police investigated the crash. The pedestrian fatality occurred near Mile Marker 265, coroner's officials reported.

The Sun-Times story reported that the man, who has since been identified as Punzo, initially lost control of his vehicle, veered off the road and hit a fence and then when the man walked back along I-55, a semi driver hit and killed him.

An autopsy was set for later Saturday and funeral arrangements are pending at this time for Punzo.

Patch will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

File image via Patch Editor John Ferak