Man fatally shot on I-57 near Cal-Sag identified

CALUMET PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- A 39-year-old man fatally shot on southbound I-57 near the Cal-Sag Channel in south suburban Calumet Park has been identified. Investigators are searching for his killer.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Steven Hudson, of the 6500-block of South Talman Avenue in Chicago.

Illinois State Police said around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, someone pulled up alongside Hudson, who was driving a rental car, and opened fire.

Hudson lost control of the gray Ford Fusion and hit a concrete barrier on the right side of the road. The impact of the crash forced the car back left across all lanes of traffic into the left concrete median barrier.

When first responders arrived, they found Hudson with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:48 p.m., the medical examiner's office said.

State police shut down southbound I-57 near the Cal-Sag for about five hours to clear the scene and search for shell casings.

Police have no description of the gunman's vehicle. Investigators are trying to determine the motive.

Police say several bullet holes were seen in Hudson?s vehicle, but Hudson only appears to have been shot one time.

Police say Hudson was the car's sole occupant and that a loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from the driver's side floor of Hudson?s vehicle.

Ernest Stewart, who lives near the interstate, saw a heavy police presence when he came home Wednesday night.

"It's just ridiculous. I mean, every day we hear about somebody getting shot and killed. You can't even ride in your car. You can't even step out your house," Stewart said.

In February, state police launched a campaign to ramp up patrols to fight a surge of expressway shootings in the Chicago area, promising to use aircraft and video cameras and under cover cars in an effort to stop roadway violence.

The tough talk came with a request: if you see something say something.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.