I-80 Crash: 2 Semis Collide In South Suburbs

MOKENA, IL — A Sunday evening collision apparently involving two eastbound semi-tractor trailers and a Mercedes Benz caused several miles of traffic congestion along Interstate 80, according to the social media site Northern Illinois FireGround Photos. The bad crash is in the Mokena area, eastbound on I-80 west of LaGrange Road. The website called it a major motor vehicle accident that caused police to shut down all east bound lanes.

Crista Russo Kajmowicz told Patch in a Facebook message that she was driving to LaGrange Road from Interstate 355 when she hit traffic. The drive, which typically takes just 15 to 20 minutes, took 2 1/2 hours, she said.

She said that while they're "long gone" now, others further back were still caught in traffic. She said the left lane and left shoulder were open near the accident site but that many cleanup and emergency vehicles were still there.

Rockdale Police Chief Robert Dykstra told Patch that he stopped at the scene to see if police and firefighters needed any help. He said he stopped at the crash site around 6 p.m. He said that he saw the two damaged semis as well as a damaged Mercedes Benz. He said the driver of the Mercedes and one of the semi drivers were being treated for minor head injuries. A second semi driver was not injured, he said. He said the Illinois State Police were investigating the crash and Orland Park and Tinley Park Fire Departments responded to the scene.

I-80 Crash Video

Video provided by Brianna Schuttler, used with permission.

Many drivers took to twitter to voice their frustrations about the drive, with some calling the interstate a "parking lot," others calling it the "absolute worst traffic jam" they'd ever been in, and still others putting out desperate pleas for snacks into the universe.

Jordana Al-Hamdan told Patch in a Facebook message late Sunday that she and her family — including two children ages 4 and 10 — were driving from Shorewood to Orland Park when they hit the traffic snarl. It's a drive that normally takes 40 minutes, she said. On Sunday, it took them nearly 3 hours.

One semi is still in a ditch, Al-Hamdan said. The other one has been hauled away.

"Traffic is still backed up," she added.

Both Al-Hamdan and Kajmowicz said the roads weren't slick.

Patch will bring you more on this developing story as information becomes available.