Authorities have identified the man killed early Saturday morning when he crashed into a vehicle parked on the side of an interstate near Indian Head Park.

Ricky Smith, 50, of Chicago Ridge, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which occurred just before 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the Illinois State Police. No other injuries connected to the wreck were listed in car accident reports.

Authorities said Smith was driving south on Interstate 294 at about 2:55 a.m. Saturday just south of the intersection with Plainfield Road. At the same time, a semi-tractor trailer was parked on the southbound shoulder, according to car accident reports.

Smith reportedly lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road, crashing into the rear of the semi. Car accident reports do not say whether anyone was in the truck at the time.

Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but Smith was pronounced dead from his injuries before he could be transported for treatment, authorities said.

All southbound lanes of the Interstate 294 were closed for several hours while investigators worked at the scene. Traffic did not resume until after 7 a.m., according to the Illinois State Police.

The incident remains under investigation by the State of Illinois agency. Troopers have not said whether they suspect factors like speed, intoxication or road conditions might have caused Smith to lose control and strike the rear of the semi.

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