Construction worker struck, killed near Des Plaines

ByEvelyn Holmes and Cate Cauguiran WLS logo
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Construction worker struck, killed near Des Plaines
A driver swerved into a construction zone on I-294, killing construction worker Frank Caputo, 59, of Bartlett.

DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) -- A driver lost control on the Tri-State Tollway Friday night and fatally struck a construction worker near Des Plaines.

The victim has been identified as Frank Caputo, 59, of Bartlett.

A driver swerved into a construction zone on I-294, killing a construction worker.

The accident occurred on I-294 just south of Touhy Avenue, where two lanes were closed for construction work.

Illinois State Police said they arrived on the scene just after 10 p.m., after a driver in a black Infiniti crossed into the construction zone and hit Caputo.

The driver also hit an unoccupied van.

Both the victim and the driver were taken to Lutheran General Hospital, where Caputo was pronounced dead.

Frank Caputo
Caputo family

In a statement released Saturday, Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting Vice President Bob Hopkins said:

"First, we want to express our sympathy and send our condolences to the Caputo family for this tragic loss. Second, we want to assure all involved that we are taking the necessary steps to cooperate and assist in the investigation of this tragic incident. At this point, we cannot comment further until the investigation is complete."

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident. Charges are pending and ISP is investigating.