Eisenhower Expressway shooting injures driver

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man was shot three times while driving on the inbound Eisenhower Expressway near Central Avenue, Illinois State Police said.

Police said the gunman opened fire on the silver minivan just before 8 a.m. Friday on the Ike between Austin and Central avenues. The shot-up minivan got off the expressway and stopped at Maypole Street for help. At least six bullets hit the windshield of the minivan and the passenger side window was shattered.

"He exited the expressway in an attempt to get medical assistance. He called a friend who in turn called for EMS," Illinois State Police Capt. David Byrd said.

Paramedics say the injured driver was struck several times and suffered a possible graze wound to the head. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in serious-to-critical condition.

The shooter's vehicle is described as a blue Jeep Cherokee with dark tinted windows. They said the suspect may have been wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

Officials do not know if the victim knew the gunman or was an intended target. He was the only person inside the minivan.

To date, there have been 26 shootings on Chicago Area expressways, according to Illinois State Police. In 2014, there were 19.

Officials blame the spike on neighborhood conflicts spilling onto area roadways.

"A majority of the shootings are gang-related and our intel tells us that. So that's why we are trying to put more officers during those hours between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.," Byrd said.

State police said they've had no shootings between the hours of 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. since July 1, when they added those extra patrols.