CHICAGO, IL — Authorities have identified the man killed early Monday morning after a large metal object pierced through his windshield while driving on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The victim, 45-year-old Jackine L. Austin of Chicago’s West Side, was pronounced dead shortly before 6 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The tragic incident occurred around 5:10 a.m. in the southbound express lanes near 29th Street, where Austin’s vehicle was struck by a heavy metal object that suddenly crashed through his windshield. The impact caused him to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a single-car crash, according to the Illinois State Police (ISP). Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but despite their efforts, Austin was pronounced deceased at 5:44 a.m.
Investigators have not yet determined where the metal object came from or how it ended up on the roadway. Authorities are working to identify whether it may have fallen from another vehicle or was previously lying on the expressway before being struck and propelled into Austin’s car. The ISP Accident Reconstruction Unit and Crime Scene Investigators are conducting a thorough examination of the scene and vehicle debris.
Traffic in the southbound lanes was temporarily halted during the investigation as crews cleared the area and gathered evidence. State troopers urged drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes until the lanes were reopened later in the morning. Officials said weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash, but the suddenness of the incident made it impossible for Austin to react.
The deadly accident has raised renewed concerns about highway debris and the dangers it poses to motorists. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reminds drivers to secure all loads and regularly inspect vehicles to prevent items from falling onto roadways. Even small unsecured objects can become deadly projectiles at highway speeds.
An autopsy for Austin is scheduled, and the results are expected to help investigators finalize the report. The Illinois State Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen debris on the expressway around that time to contact their Chicago District office. Authorities continue to piece together how this tragic and unusual fatality unfolded on one of the city’s busiest highways.