Authorities identify man who died in explosion that closed I-290 for most of Thursday

Authorities have identified a 47-year-old Cicero man as the person at the center of death investigation that closed Interstate 290 in both directions near Elmhurst for more than seven hours last week.

According to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, Jorge Vaca’s cause and manner of death is still under investigation.

Illinois State Police initially led the death investigation that began late Thursday morning when something inside the car Vaca was driving in the westbound lanes of I-290 near 25th Avenue exploded. State police ultimately turned the investigation over to federal authorities.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said there was “no evidence was found to indicate this was connected to any other event or that any other individuals were involved.”

They have not released any other details since Friday.

In the wake of the explosion, multiple roads in the area were closed and traffic was diverted from about 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Due to the investigation, Mannheim Road to I-290 was closed. Mannheim Road over I-290 also was closed. Interstate 88 eastbound to I-290 eastbound was closed as well, state police said. Traffic on I-294 near the area also was affected.

No other injuries were reported.