Coroner Identifies Driver Killed In I-80 Crash

FRANKFORT TOWNSHIP, IL — A Chicago man was killed Friday morning on Interstate 80 near the Harlem Avenue, according to the Illinois State Police. Eugene Gillaird Sr., 59, was pronounced dead at the Silver Cross Hospital emergency room just after 11 a.m., according to the Will County Coroner's office.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge was traveling on I-80
westbound just west of Harlem Ave. For unknown reasons, the vehicle drove off the roadway into the right ditch and struck an electrical box, resulting in the death of the man driving the car.

Gillaird's cause of death will be determined pending the outcome of police, autopsy and toxicological reports, the coroner's office said. An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.

All lanes were closed briefly following the crash.

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