An Illinois Tollway maintenance worker was killed and two other workers were injured when they were struck by a vehicle early Saturday while repairing a pothole on the Tri-State Tollway near Des Plaines, according to Illinois state police.
The three workers were making pothole repairs on the southbound tollway (Interstate 294) near milepost 41.5 just before 4:30 a.m. when they were struck by a vehicle, state police said, citing preliminary reports.
The workers were taken to an area hospital, where one of them died, authorities said. The worker was identified as Calvin L. Holley, 52, of the city’s Dunning neighborhood, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday. The conditions of the other injured workers weren’t released.
State police kept all southbound tollway lanes closed for more than five hours while they conducted their investigation. State police released no other information.
Heartbreaking news this morning as three tollway workers were struck in Des Plaines while working.
May their memory be a blessing, and may we come together to pray for the injured.
Remember to slow down and keep our workers safe. https://t.co/B1cwhvVCng
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 30, 2026
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On social media, Gov. JB Pritzker mourned the injured workers and reminded drivers to slow down for workers.
“Heartbreaking news this morning as three tollway workers were struck in Des Plaines while working,” Pritzker wrote on X. “May their memory be a blessing, and may we come together to pray for the injured. Remember to slow down and keep our workers safe.”