Driver Extricated After Semi Crash On Joliet's South Chicago Street

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced said a major crash caused police to close Route 53, which is South Chicago Street, on Thursday evening. The crash happened around 6:10 p.m. at Patterson Road and South Chicago Street.

Because of the wreck, Joliet police have closed South Chicago Street all the way from Fifth Avenue to Doris Avenue, police announced on Facebook.

The Interstate 80 ramp for South Chicago Street was shut down as well, police said.

Joliet Fire Chief Greg Blaskey said that crews from Stations 1 and 3 responded to the wreck involving a semi-truck and a pickup truck. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage. The driver of the semi was not hospitalized.

The driver of the pickup truck suffered injuries to both lower legs, but was conscious and alert, Blaskey said. Crews needed to use extrication tools to remove the driver of the pickup, which took 12 minutes. Blaskey said he was taken to AMITA St. Joe's in fair condition. The Joliet Police Department is investigating the accident.

Joliet's Bob Hernandez got to the scene first to announce details of the crash as he produced one of his Facebook Live videos.