Crime & Safety

Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Truck On Interstate 94 Identified

A 24-year-old Vernon Hills man walked onto the interstate near Lake Forest around noon Thursday.

The Lake County Coroner's office determined a pedestrian fatally struck by a passing tractor trailer Thursday on Interstate 94 north of Half Day Road died by suicide.
The Lake County Coroner's office determined a pedestrian fatally struck by a passing tractor trailer Thursday on Interstate 94 north of Half Day Road died by suicide. (Illinois State Police, File)

LAKE FOREST, IL — A man walking in traffic on the interstate was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer Thursday in Mettawa, according to state police.

Shortly after noon, state troopers were dispatched to Interstate 94 north of Half Day Road for a report that a truck had hit a pedestrian in one of the lanes of traffic, according to an Illinois State Police spokesperson.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, said Trooper Haylie Polistina, and two outbound lanes of I-94 were closed for nearly three hours Thursday afternoon.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forest-Lake Blufffor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Lake Forest Fire Department Division Chief Mike Gallo did not provide any information about his department's response to the incident.

The Lake County Coroner's Office identified the dead pedestrian as 24-year-old Joseph Lee, of Vernon Hills. According to the coroner, Lee's death was a suicide caused by blunt force trauma.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forest-Lake Blufffor free with the latest updates from Patch.


Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, visiting this website, or texting HOME to 741741.

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