69-Year-Old Man Killed in Rollover Crash on I-294 Near Des Plaines, Illinois

A fatal two-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) in Des Plaines, Illinois claimed the life of a 69-year-old Wisconsin man on Wednesday afternoon, 4 February 2026, the Illinois State Police confirmed.

The incident also disrupted rush-hour traffic as multiple lanes of the busy tollway were closed for hours during investigation and cleanup. 

Police said the crash occurred around 4:01 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-294 just north of Golf Road, a high-traffic segment of the tollway that serves commuters and freight traffic around the greater Chicago metropolitan area. 

According to state police, the collision involved two vehicles and resulted in at least one of them rolling over.

The force of the impact left debris scattered across the roadway, prompting officials to shut down the left three lanes of northbound I-294 as they worked to secure the scene and investigate the cause of the crash. 

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the deceased victim as Eugene Robinson Jr., 69, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

At the time of reporting, authorities had not yet released further details on whether other injuries occurred in the crash.

Drivers were advised to expect delays and seek alternate routes while emergency crews were on site. 

The crash occurred during a peak travel period, worsening congestion along a critical interstate route for the region.

Illinois State Police closed multiple lanes to preserve the crash site for accident reconstruction and evidence collection.

Motorists were redirected or slowed dramatically as crews worked to clear wreckage and ensure safety. 

Officials urged drivers to use alternate paths and allow extra travel time while the investigation and cleanup continued into the evening. 

Rollover collisions, particularly involving heavier vehicles or loss of control at highway speeds, are among the deadliest crash types in traffic incidents. They often result from:

• Sudden steering maneuvers
• Uneven road surfaces or obstructions
• High speed combined with abrupt direction change
• Loss of traction or collision with another vehicle

When a vehicle flips and hits the roadway at speed, occupants are subject to severe forces that dramatically increase the likelihood of fatal injuries. 

Road Safety Considerations for Highways

This tragic crash serves as a reminder of key safety measures that can help reduce severe outcomes on high-speed roads:

• Always observe posted speed limits, especially in high-traffic corridors.
• Maintain safe following distances, giving room to react to sudden stops.
• Avoid abrupt steering or braking unless necessary.
• Stay alert and avoid driving when fatigued or distracted.

Defensive driving on interstate highways like I-294 is essential to reducing the risk of rollover and multi-vehicle collisions.