An investigation into what authorities now say appears to be a deadly, isolated explosion of a vehicle on the Eisenhower Expressway prompted a shutdown of the major roadway for hours on Thursday as bomb squads, local and federal agencies were called in.
Drivers were left stranded in massive backups during the closures that lasted more than 8 hours while authorities investigated the explosion. Some stranded drivers were seen exiting their vehicles and sitting on medians or standing on the highway.
While many questions still remain just one day after the incident unfolded, here’s what we know so far:
Details on the investigation
A coordinated investigation led by the FBI and ATF with support from several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies found that a man was killed in an explosion on I-290 near Mannheim Road, authorities said.
“No evidence was found to indicate this was connected to any other event or that any other individuals were involved,” FBI said in a statement on Friday.
Sky5 reporter Mike Lorber noted Illinois State Police called the incident an “explosion” multiple times in their dispatches on Thursday after they were initially called to the scene. ISP ultimately called in assistance first from the Cook County Bomb and Arson Squad, then the FBI and the ATF, according to authorities. The DEA also joined the investigation.
An investigation after a vehicle exploded on I-290 prompted closures and snarled traffic for hours on Thursday. JC Navarrete reports.
The Village of Westchester said in a statement local police were also assisting at the request of ISP.
The incident started just after 10 a.m. on Thursday with what appeared to be a vehicle that became disabled on the side of the outbound lanes of the expressway near Mannheim in Westchester. The vehicle exploded, according to authorities, though it remains unclear what caused the explosion.
Footage showed the windows and windshield appeared to be shattered, and bomb squad technicians could be seen surrounding the vehicle at times throughout the investigation on Thursday. At one point, investigators set up a white tent around the vehicle.
“We recognize the significant public interest generated by the law enforcement response and roadway closures. The involvement of highly specialized federal, state, and local resources was necessary to safely process the scene and ensure public safety. We are grateful to the public for their patience and cooperation as the matter was ongoing,” the FBI said in a statement that was also shared by ATF on social media.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity or manner of death as of Friday afternoon.
