Warning Regarding Pavement Buckling

Road hazards are a subject that has been discussed often on this site, as such road hazards can be hazardous to motorists and motorcyclists. Road hazards can take many forms, including items that are sitting on the roadway or are falling off of other vehicles. These items, including deer running across the roadway, often are unexpected and pose a challenge to drivers who are seeking to avoid hitting such objects.

As well, there are various types of road hazards relating to pavement deformities, including potholes, broken pavement, uneven pavement, large cracks, and gravel.

Many types of road hazards are further discussed on the Will County Road Hazards page.

One type of road hazard that is both unexpected and potentially (very) dangerous to motorists is that of buckling pavement. This typically happens during high outdoor temperatures, and typically involves a substantial, unforeseen “bump” forming on the roadway as the pavement breaks apart and rises. While this pavement buckling is rare, it does happen. One recent example in the Chicago area was seen on South Lake Shore Drive in July 2016, and is discussed in the July 12, 2016 CBS Chicago article (with video) titled “The Reason Lake Shore Drive Pavement Buckles.”

On July 20, 2016, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a warning about pavement buckling, given that Will County as well as the greater Chicago area weather is expected to climb well into the 90-100 degree range. The IDOT news release is titled “Extreme Heat Could Lead to Pavement Failures.” (pdf) An Excerpt from the release:

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is urging motorists to be on the alert for the possibility of pavement buckling on roads throughout the state in the next few days due to the recent rainfall and extreme heat in the forecast. The combination of very high temperatures and precipitation can lead to pavement expanding and ultimately buckling or blowing out, causing uneven driving surfaces in some areas. As long as the heat and humidity persists, IDOT will be monitoring the situation, with crews available to make repairs as quickly as possible if they are needed.

Additional details regarding this possible pavement buckling can be seen in the IDOT and CBS Chicago sources mentioned above.

Driver Suffers Severe Head Injuries During Joliet Collision

There was a four-vehicle “chain-reaction” collision Monday morning (July 18, 2016) in Joliet. The accident happened at Cass Street and Collins Street.

According to the Joliet Police Department, the accident happened at 6:05 a.m., when a 2002 GMC Envoy was stopped at a red light on eastbound Cass Street. At that time, it was “rear-ended” by a Ford Econoline van.

This collision caused the vehicles to go into the intersection, at which point they collided with two other vehicles.

Joliet Police officers administered CPR to the driver of the Envoy. He may have been in respiratory arrest. The 54-year-old man was initially taken to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment of his accident injuries, and later was flow to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood. His injuries included what was described by Joliet Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory as “severe head injuries.”

The driver of the Econoline van, identified as Octavio Vargas, 53, of Joliet, was also taken to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment of accident injuries that were considered to be non-life-threatening in nature.

Additional details regarding this “chain-reaction crash” can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the July 18 The Herald-News article titled “Two hospitalized after crash in Joliet” as well as the July 18 Joliet Patch article titled “CPR Performed on SUV Driver After 4-Vehicle Crash in Joliet.”

Fatal Motorcycle Accident In Channahon

There was a fatal motorcycle accident early Friday (July 15, 2016) morning in Channahon. The accident was discovered by Channahon Police at 1:15 a.m.

An excerpt from the July 15, 2016 The Herald-News article titled “Channahon man killed in motorcycle crash” quoting Channahon Police Chief Jeff Wold, speaking of the motorcyclist:

“It appears he was on Ridge Road and was turning onto Blue Grass Drive,” Wold said. “Preliminary investigation shows he hit the curb on the median and lost control of the bike.”

The motorcyclist was identified as David H. Poole Jr., 55, of Channahon. He was later pronounced dead at the accident scene by the Grundy County Coroner.

Poole was not wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the crash.

The traffic accident investigation continues by the Grundy County Coroner and the Channahon Police Department.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this fatal Illinois motorcycle accident can be seen in a variety of media sources, including The Herald-News article seen above as well as the July 15 Channahon-Minooka Patch article titled “Channahon Motorcyclist Dies in Early Morning Crash.”

Fatal Motorcycle-Car Collision In Joliet

There was a fatal Will County motorcycle accident late Saturday night (July 2, 2016) in Joliet. This accident involved a motorcycle crashing into a car.

According to authorities, the accident happened as a motorcyclist, identified as Jermain K. Bennett, 42, of Joliet, was riding a Honda CVR900 motorcycle when the collision with the car occurred at 10:37 p.m. at Third Avenue and Richards Street, shown below:

An excerpt from the July 3, 2016 Morris Herald-News article titled “Joliet man charged in connection with 2012 slaying killed in traffic crash“:

“Witnesses said Bennett was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when he went into the intersection and struck the westbound Charger,” Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said.

Bennett was taken to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment of his accident injuries, and, according to the Will County Coroner’s Office, was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. Sunday. According to the Will County Coroner’s Office, the preliminary cause of death was multiple injuries sustained during the crash.

The driver of the car was identified as Loria Ware, 50, of Joliet.

Another excerpt from the Morris Herald-News article mentioned above:

Ware has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence, drug possession and marijuana possession.

This car-motorcycle collision remains under investigation.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this fatal Illinois motorcycle crash can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the Morris Herald-News article mentioned above as well as the July 3 Chicago Sun-Times article titled “Motorcyclist killed in Joliet crash” and the Joliet Patch article of July 3 titled “Joliet Motorcyclist Dies After Crashing Into Vehicle.”

Fatal Motorcycle Crash In Homer Glen

There was a fatal motorcycle accident Friday evening (July 1, 2016) in Homer Glen.

Publicly disclosed details regarding this fatal crash appear to be limited at this time.

The accident happened at approximately 4:30 p.m., near the intersection of 179th Street and Spring Meadows Drive. The motorcycle crash led to the death of William Johnson, 57, of New Lenox.

The accident remains under investigation by the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this fatal Will County motorcycle crash can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the July 3, 2016 Chicago Sun-Times article titled “New Lenox man killed in Homer Glen motorcycle crash.”

Fatal Collision Between Semi Truck And Vehicle In Peotone Township

There was a collision between a vehicle and semi truck Saturday afternoon (July 2, 2016) in Peotone Township. A woman in the vehicle died as a result of the accident, which happened at the intersection of Wilmington-Peotone Road and Center Road.

Details on the accident appear limited. The cause of the crash appears not to be publicly disclosed at this time.

According to the Will County Coroner’s Office, Sarah M. Hank, 19, of Homewood, was declared dead at the accident scene at 4:00 p.m. She was the driver of the vehicle that was struck by the semi truck.

This fatal collision continues to be under investigation by the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional details and possible updates can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the July 3, 2016 Herald-News article titled “Homewood teen killed in crash with semi in Peotone Township” as well as the July 3 CBS Chicago article titled “Homewood Woman Killed In Will County Crash.”