71-year-old woman killed in West Chicago crash

A 71-year-old West Chicago woman is dead and her 78-year-old male passenger is in serious condition at Central DuPage Hospital after a multicar crash Sunday afternoon in West Chicago.

Police Cmdr. Eric Shipman said the woman was driving a pickup truck south on Route 59 near Meade Road when it crossed the centerline and collided with two other vehicles. The drivers of those vehicles, a 39-year-old woman and a 72-year-old woman, were treated for minor injuries.

The call came around 4 p.m. during hazardous winter weather conditions, which included a mix of freezing rain and sleet, making it difficult for emergency personnel to work on the roadway and travel to and from the scene, fire department officials said. Route 59 was closed from Smith Road to North Avenue until about 7:45 p.m.

Shipman said investigators are attempting to determine whether road conditions were a factor in the crash. He said police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

An autopsy was scheduled Monday for the driver of the pickup truck, but Shipman said police were still trying to notify family members.