Man hit on I-294 was running from stabbing

A Naperville man who was hit by a truck while on I-294 on foot early this morning was actually fleeing the scene of a stabbing in Des Plaines, police are now saying.

The man, 41-year-old Douglas Volkman, was critically injured early this morning after being hit by a semi-trailer along I-294 near Touhy Avenue.

Police say Volkman stabbed his boss in the neck at about 5 a.m. outside of Coldwell Banker, 2700 S. River Road.

According to Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini, Volkman was already in the parking lot when his boss showed up this morning.

Prandini said Volkman asked the boss for help, claiming his car wouldn't start and that he lost his wallet. Volkman got into the boss's car but then pulled out a long kitchen knife, stabbing him in the neck.

The boss, a 48-year-old male, had non-life threatening injuries, Prandini added.

Volkman fled the parking lot on foot and was thrown 33 feet when he ran into the path of a truck on the Tri-State Tollway, according to Master Sgt. Carlita Joe, of the Illinois State Police.

He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge by Rosemont Fire Department paramedics.

The truck driver, a 41-year-old from Steger, was not ticketed or injured, according to state police.

Des Plaines police are still investigating the stabbing.

"This was a completely unprovoked attack," said Prandini. "There were no issues with their business relationship."