Charges filed after Chicago woman’s highway death

DOLTON — Illinois State Police say a southern Illinois man has been charged in connection with the death of woman who was killed after falling from a vehicle on a Chicago freeway.

Police said Thursday that 28-year-old Michael Johnson of Edwardsville faces drunken driving charges and other counts in the death of 27-year-old Jennifer Mitchell of Chicago. A car and a semi-truck struck and killed Mitchell on Tuesday after she fell from the passenger side of an SUV. The vehicle was traveling on Interstate 94 in suburban Dolton.

Police say it isn’t clear if Mitchell fell from the vehicle or jumped. But they say Johnson was driving. Police say Johnson fled on foot but was later apprehended by troopers.

A telephone listing for Johnson in Edwardsville could not be located.