Cops: Crash victim was fleeing crime scene

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

The man, 41-year-old Douglas Volkman, was critically injured after being hit by a semitrailer truck near Touhy Avenue.

Police say Volkman stabbed his boss in the neck about 5 a.m. outside of Coldwell Banker, 2700 S. River Road, and then fled on foot onto the Tri-State Tollway.

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

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

Volkman fled the parking lot on foot and into the path of a truck on the northbound lanes of the Tri-State, which threw him 33 feet, according to Master Sgt. Carlita Joe, of the Illinois State Police.

He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge by Rosemont 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. They want to speak with Volkman before filing any charges.

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

The chief told WBBM radio that Volkman dropped his knife before he was hit by the truck.

"We pretty much have all the pieces as to what happened, even though we don't understand what led to the attack," the chief said.