Driver in fiery Chicago highway crash cited by state police

CHICAGO (AP) - Authorities say a fiery crash on a Chicago-area expressway that left one person dead and forced the closure of the roadway for hours started when a semitrailer carrying 40,000 pounds of frozen meat slammed into the back of a pickup truck.

In the news release, the Illinois State Police say Monday's collision on Interstate 55 set off a series of crashes and sparked a huge blaze when a minivan was shoved from behind underneath a semitrailer loaded with 17,800 pounds of paint.

The driver of the semitrailer in the initial crash - David C. Hlebasko of Logansport, Indiana - was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and following too closely.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office is reviewing dental records to identify the person who died.