Chicago, IL (November 6, 2024) – Officers are investigating after a construction worker was killed in a hit-and-run on the Kennedy Expressway on Monday night, Illinois State Police said.

The crash happened shortly after 9:00 p.m. in the outbound lanes of the Kennedy Expressway at Kinzie Street. State police closed several lanes of traffic Monday night while they investigated the crash that killed 54-year-old Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez, who was working there.

Police said Padilla-Gutierrez was on a lift, painting the walls in the tunnel, when a tractor-trailer hit the lift and kept going. Two other vehicles then crashed, but no one was injured. Padilla-Gutierrez was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died. However, no further details were released, and anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to call the area police.

We offer our deepest condolences to Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez’s family.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago

Although Chicago is one of our country’s few truly walkable metropolises, pedestrians continue to encounter danger on its thoroughfares. Based on preliminary data, local authorities estimate that the number of pedestrian fatalities in traffic collisions over the past year may have peaked at its highest level in half a century.

Unfortunately, nearly 200 pedestrians died in recent vehicle collisions, representing an increase of more than 20% compared to the previous year. And notably, 40% of fatal pedestrian collisions were caused by hit-and-runs. In comparison, 80% of severe and fatal pedestrian incidents transpired in Chicago alone, near an intersection of 125 feet or less. Of course, victims should obtain immediate legal counsel from a qualified Chicagoland car accident lawyer if they or a family member has been injured in a collision.

The Romaker Law Firm’s staff is prepared to advocate for justice for you and your family after a pedestrian collision. And if you have lost a loved one due to a car or pedestrian accident, our lawyers will help you during this tragic time and handle your wrongful death claim. Insurance companies will attempt to minimize the amount of money you are owed by capitalizing on your crash. Fortunately, you can schedule a free consultation with our Naperville auto accident attorneys at the Romaker Law Firm today.

For over two decades, we have assisted Illinois state citizens and Chicago residents in obtaining the just compensation they require to cover their losses following a collision. Contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Naperville at 312-377-7000 to learn more about your options and how to move forward with your life after a major accident has affected you and yours.

The post Chicago, IL – Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez Identified in Deadly Collision on Kennedy Expy first appeared on The Romaker Law Firm.