Berwyn Woman Killed In I-55 Car Crash

OAK PARK, IL — A Berwyn woman died early Sunday morning after the car she was in was hit from behind on the Stevenson Expressway, police said. She was in the backseat of a rideshare vehicle and was unable to escape when the vehicle went up in flames near Damen Avenue.

An Infiniti sedan was traveling south on the highway, when it struck the back of a Hyundai sedan, which became fully engulfed in flames, police said.

The rideshare driver and two other passengers were able to escape the blaze, and were taken to local hospitals in stable condition. The woman was unable to get out of the car, and died at the scene, authorities said.

The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Jamie Poulos of Berwyn, police said.

Poulos was out celebrating her 23rd birthday the night she died, according to a report by NBC Chicago.

"Our hearts go out to the victim's family and everyone impacted by this terrible incident," Uber said in a statement. "We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."

Police closed the expressway for nearly eight hours. The investigation into the crash was ongoing, authorities said.