Tri-State blocked by crash at Dempster; should be OK for rush

Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused a three-truck crash on the northbound Tri-State Tollway late this morning.

A two-axle delivery truck was sandwiched between two semi-trailers at about 11:46 a.m. near the Dempster Street exit ramp. The truck was rear-ended by one of the semis that landed on top of it, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Glenn DeVries.

The delivery truck driver and two passengers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

"We don't anticipate any of them are of life-threatening nature," DeVries said.

All northbound lanes were closed off to traffic immediately after the crash, but two left lanes have since reopened.

"Fortunately enough, it's mid-day and traffic is not too involved," DeVries said. "We'll have it squared away certainly before the evening rush."

Investigators are conducting a safety inspection to determine whether there were any mechanical or equipment violations that contributed to the accident, DeVries said.

"If there's no equipment violations, then the only other alternative is driver error," he said.