Off-duty officer killed in I-294 wrong-way crash near Oak Brook
OAK BROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- An off-duty Chicago Ridge police officer was killed and three other people were injured after a wrong-way crash on the Tri-State Tollway near Oak Brook early Sunday morning.
PHOTOS: 1 dead, 3 injured after I-294 wrong-way crash near Oak Brook
Officer Steven Smith, 27, was off-duty and on his way home from a family wedding when the Dodge Neon he was a passenger in was struck by wrong-way driver on I-294 near Cermak Road.
"His cousin, who was the driver of the car, was giving him a ride to go back to pick up his car in Stone Park when accident occurred," said Chief Robert Pyznarski, Chicago Ridge Police Department.
The car Smith was a passenger in was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by a female who was driving southbound in the northbound lanes on the Tri-State near the Cermak Road toll plaza.
"We were paying toll coming through the cash part, all of sudden we heard squeal of tires, next thing we heard all the crashing," said witness Michelle Lontaneker.
The news of Smith's death has hit the close-knit community and police department hard. After joining the Marines and serving a tour of Afghanistan, Smith joined the Chicago Ridge Police Department five years ago part-time before becoming full time last February.
Born and raised in Chicago, Smith was known as a hard working police officer with a great future ahead of him in the department.
"Steve respected his elders, he respected other officers, he respected community, he always wanted to do a good job for us, he did a good job and will be missed," Chief Pyznarski said.
The Doolan family remembers Smith's nice and respective demeanor when he dropped by their house to show their kids his squad car. Sunday, the Doolan kids paid their respects with homemade signs and candles.
"We hate to see one of our officers fall like this," Chris Doolan said. "We wanted to come out and show our support for the community and our police force."
Officer Smith lived just a couple of blocks from the police department with his mother. He is also survived by a brother and a father.
The accident is still under investigation. The female driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. As of Sunday night, charges have not been filed against her.
