> At a Glance
> – Johnathan Wenzel, 20, died after his Ford Fusion smashed through a Romeoville sound barrier at 4:32 a.m. Thursday
> – A second driver was air-lifted with serious injuries; westbound lanes closed 7 hours
> – Police cite speed as likely factor; probe continues
> – Why it matters: Rush-hour commuters face continued delays while investigators analyze a curve neighbors call a chronic speeding hotspot
Two mangled cars, one gaping hole in a brick wall, and a young life cut short: Romeoville’s early-morning commute turned deadly when a westbound Ford Fusion sheared through an Interstate 55 sound barrier and triggered a three-car pile-up.
The Crash
Johnathan Wenzel, 20, lost control on the curve, barreled across the median, and came to rest on the northbound side where two on-coming cars slammed into his disabled Fusion, police said.
Officers pronounced Wenzel dead at the scene. A driver in one of the striking vehicles was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, then flown to University of Chicago Medicine with serious yet non-life-threatening injuries.
Community Reaction
Danielle Rivera, whose apartment overlooks the interstate, described the moment the night sky lit up with sirens.
> Danielle Rivera told ABC affiliate WLS:
> “When I looked out the window and saw all the police presence, that’s when I woke up my husband. Seeing that huge hole, and seeing all the police officers, it was really heartbreaking.”
Twelve hours later, WBBM-TV reporters documented “a large gaping hole” still punched through the brick barrier. Neighbors say the curve has long been a magnet for speeders, and previous crashes have done little to slow traffic.
Traffic Impact
Illinois State Police shut the stretch at 5:50 a.m.; crews reopened it shortly after 12:25 p.m.-a seven-hour closure that snarled morning commutes.
| Key Timeline | Local Time |
|---|---|
| Crash occurs | 4:32 a.m. |
| Road closed | 5:50 a.m. |
| Road re-opened | 12:25 p.m. |
Investigators have not filed charges and continue to reconstruct the sequence, though they believe excessive speed contributed.
Key Takeaways
- Speed is the leading suspected cause of the triple collision
- One driver dead, one air-lifted, no other critical injuries reported
- The damaged sound wall remains a visible reminder for passing motorists
- Commuters should expect possible lane restrictions as the investigation continues
With the wreckage cleared and traffic again flowing, authorities urge drivers to slow through the notorious curve that proved fatal for Johnathan Wenzel and life-altering for another motorist.
