The man killed in a fiery, multi-vehicle crash that shut down Interstate 55 for hours Monday has been identified.
David Ray, 44, of Roanoke, Indiana, was driving a minivan when his vehicle was struck from behind, sending it underneath a semi that burst into flames. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police said Tuesday that 59-year-old David Hlebasko, who was driving a semi truck carrying 40,000 pounds of frozen meat, has been issued citations for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and following too closely.
According to Illinois State Police, Hlebasko hit a pickup truck in front of him, causing that truck to strike Ray's minivan, sending it underneath the trailer of another semi, which was hauling 17,800 pounds of flammable paint. The semi burst into flames, causing all the first three vehicles to catch fire as it hit a fifth vehicle.
The crash involving took place just before 11 a.m. in the outbound lanes of the interstate near Cicero. Smoke could be seen for miles in the area, and the roadway remained closed for hours.
At least one other person was transported from the scene to an area hospital in stable condition, but it was not known which vehicle they were in.
