Fatal accident closes part of Golf Road in Des Plaines

Des Plaines police are investigating an accident that killed a Des Plaines man on his way to work Wednesday morning and shut down Golf Road for more than four hours.

The accident, which occurred at about 6:10 a.m. at 1860 E. Golf Road, involved four cars, including a semi-truck, said Cmdr. Daniel Niemann of the Des Plaines police.

As of later Wednesday, authorities weren't sure what or who caused the crash since they hadn't spoken with everyone involved, Niemann said.

What police do know is that Rajeshbhaiv Patel, 47, of the 9200 block of Aspen Drive, Des Plaines, was driving his 1999 Toyota Corolla westbound in the curb lane of Golf Road when the accident occurred.

Patel's friend and co-worker Ashwin Patel was also in the car. The two were headed to work in Elk Grove Village when the collision occurred.

After the accident, Rajeshbhaiv Patel and Ashwin Patel were transported to Lutheran General Hospital, where Rajeshbhaiv Patel died from his injuries and Ashwin Patel, 51, of the 9500 block of Dee Road in Des Plaines, was listed in serious condition.

No one else involved was injured, Niemann said.

The Des Plaines Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team was working to determine the cause of the accident. No tickets had been issued as of Wednesday.

The road was reopened by 11 a.m., Niemann said.