Coroner IDs Man Killed After Car Collides Into Semi

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A driver killed after his car slammed into the back of a semi truck Sunday night has been identified as Roderick Richardson, 47, of Kenosha, Wis. The collision happened at Route 41 and Wadsworth Road at about 10:15 p.m., according to authorities. Preliminary autopsy results released Wednesday revealed Richardson died from injuries caused by blunt force trauma, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said in a statement.

A preliminary investigation shows a 2012 Freightliner tractor/trailer, driven by a 46-year-old man from Alger, Ohio, was headed north on Route 41 when the collision occurred. The semi was stopped at a red light and was just beginning to accelerate after the light turned green when Richardson's 2005 Chrysler 300 collided with the semi, according to authorities.

A witness told police the Chrysler was traveling at a high rate of speed just prior to the crash.

Richardson was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi truck driver was not injured.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash.

PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK