Illinois Tollway Worker Killed, Two Injured in I-294 Pothole Repair Accident

A maintenance worker for the Illinois Tollway died and two other employees were injured after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 294 early May 31, 2026.

The crew was performing pothole repairs on the roadway when the incident occurred. According to reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times, the driver of a vehicle struck the workers while they were actively filling potholes.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find one worker deceased. Two other workers sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families.

Investigation and Response

The Illinois State Police are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities are working to determine the speed of the vehicle and whether any other factors contributed to the collision.

The stretch of I-294 where the accident occurred experienced traffic delays as investigators processed the scene and the Illinois Tollway managed the recovery of the workers and the vehicle involved.

The Illinois Tollway has not provided specific details regarding the safety protocols in place at the time of the accident, though maintenance crews typically utilize signage, flashing lights, and safety vests during roadway operations.