Driver killed in crash on I-57 off-ramp in Chicago suburbs

Illinois State Police say the driver was ejected when the vehicle struck a wall on the northbound ramp to 147th Street in Harvey.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A driver was killed in a crash on an off-ramp on Interstate 57 in Chicago's south suburbs overnight Sunday into Monday. Illinois State Police were initially called for what was believed to be a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian, but later determined the person on the pavement was the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe who had been ejected when the vehicle struck a wall on the northbound ramp to 147th Street in Harvey.

Why it matters

Fatal crashes on highway off-ramps are a persistent safety concern, as these areas can be prone to higher speeds, reduced visibility, and increased risk of loss of control. This incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and safety improvements in these high-traffic transition zones.

The details

At 11:58 p.m. Sunday, Illinois State Police were called for what was first believed to be a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian and an abandoned Chevrolet Tahoe on the I-57 northbound ramp to 147th Street in Harvey. State police later determined that the person who ended up on the pavement was not a pedestrian, but the driver of the Tahoe — who had been ejected when the Tahoe struck a wall.

  • The crash occurred at 11:58 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The northbound ramp was closed during the investigation but reopened at 3:47 a.m.

The players

Illinois State Police

The state law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the fatal crash.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The vehicle involved in the single-vehicle crash on the I-57 off-ramp.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for heightened safety measures and driver awareness on highway off-ramps, where high speeds, reduced visibility, and loss of control can have devastating consequences. Transportation officials will likely review this crash to identify potential infrastructure improvements or other interventions to prevent similar fatal accidents in the future.