Driver killed when car went airborne, crashed through I-55 barrier in Romeoville identified

Driver killed after car goes airborne, crashes through barrier on I-55 in Romeoville

A person was killed in a violent crash early Thursday morning on the Stevenson Expressway in Romeoville, forcing the closure of northbound I-55 during the morning rush.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - A person was killed in a violent crash early Thursday morning on the Stevenson Expressway in Romeoville, forcing the closure of northbound I-55 during the morning rush.

What we know:

Romeoville police said the crash happened around 4:30 a.m. when a red Ford Fusion speeding westbound on Frontage Road failed to negotiate a curve, went airborne and broke through the sound barrier wall onto northbound I-55. The vehicle was then struck by two other cars traveling on the expressway.

The driver of the Ford died at the scene. He was identified as 20-year-old Johnathan Wenzel.

The driver of one of the other vehicles was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital and then airlifted to University of Chicago Medicine Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Northbound I-55 and Frontage Road were shut down for several hours for investigation and cleanup, with traffic rerouted at Route 30. Romeoville police worked to manage traffic for drivers stuck on I-55 and nearby roads as the investigation continued.

All lanes reopened at about 12:25 p.m., according to the Illinois State Police.