Traffic was backed up for miles on the busy Eisenhower Expressway in the western suburbs Thursday afternoon as police and bomb technicians worked to investigate an “active incident” involving a vehicle.
The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed a fatality related to the incident, which unfolded just after 10 a.m. Thursday in Westchester on the outbound Eisenhower near Mannheim.
Illinois State Police ultimately requested assistance from multiple agencies, with the FBI and ATF among those that responded to the incident. The DEA has also now joined the investigation.
That investigation closed the highway for more than eight hours, and all lanes reopened just before 7 p.m.
At the onset of the investigation, Sky5 reporter Mike Lorber said ISP called the incident an “explosion” multiple times in their dispatches.
Bomb squad technicians could be seen surrounding a vehicle on the Eisenhower Expressway as the roadway was shut down in both directions in the western suburbs of Chicago, snarling traffic.
During the extended closure, divers on I-290 could be seen getting out of their cars and standing on the roadway or sitting on the median as the closure continued.
Lanes were closed on both the outbound side, between 25th Avenue and Wolf Road, and the inbound side, between the I-294 Tri-State Tollway and Mannheim.
NBC Chicago’s Charlie Wojciechowski, who was also stuck in the backup, spoke to frustrated drivers as traffic was at a standstill. One family said what started as an eight minute trip turned into a traffic jam of two hours and counting.
The Village of Westchester said in a statement local police were assisting at the request of ISP, with Westchester Boulevard closed at Kitchener Avenue.
The village said there was no threat to the area.
“We appreciate your patience and cooperation as emergency personnel work to manage the situation safely,” the village said.
Photos and video captured by Sky5 showed a complete closure of the highway at Mannheim in both directions. Mannheim ramps were also closed, with state police, local police and first responders on scene.
Law enforcement vehicles could also be seen blocking the road. A vehicle that appeared to be involved could be seen, with first responders and law enforcement staying far away.
The sunroof and windows of the car were blown out, Lorber said, and airbags had been deployed. Bomb technicians could also be seen searching the car, with the Cook County Bomb and Arson Squad setting up on the east side of the expressway.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed it also responded to the scene.
No further details were provided. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
