advertisement

Off-duty police officer killed in wrong-way crash on I-294 near Oak Brook

An off-duty Chicago Ridge police officer was killed Sunday in a three-vehicle crash involving a car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 294 near Oak Brook, police said.

Steven A. Smith, 27, had been a part-time officer since 2010 and a full-time officer since February, Chicago Ridge Police Chief Robert Pyznarski said in a news release.

Smith was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that was hit head on by a Toyota Camry at around 3:45 a.m. near Cermak Road, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Chadd Brody. A preliminary investigation determined that the Toyota was traveling southbound on the northbound lanes of I-294, he said.

After the Toyota hit the Dodge, which was traveling the correct way, the Toyota spun out of control and hit a Chevrolet pickup truck, he said.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, Brody said.

The driver of the Toyota, 22-year-old Sara Lopez, was taken to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries, as was the driver of the Dodge, Brody said. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.

Pyznarski said Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his mother, father and brother.

Funeral arrangements are pending, Pyznarski said.

"Thank you in advance for your prayers and support as Chicago Ridge police mourn the loss of Officer Steve Smith," he said in the release.

Illinois State Police are investigating the crash, Brody said, and no charges have been filed.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.