The Illinois State Police investigated a single-vehicle fatal crash which occurred on Monday, January 15, 2018, at approximately 10:31 a.m. Troopers located a black Chevrolet Suburban in the south ditch of Interstate 88 close to milepost 28. The vehicle was occupied by the driver and lone occupant, Thomas P. Gardiner, 56, of Park Ridge, IL. Gardiner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigation indicates Gardiner was traveling westbound on Interstate 88, when his vehicle entered the center median, crossed the eastbound lanes of traffic, entered the south ditch, and struck a tree. Weather conditions were snowy at the time, but it is unknown if weather or road conditions played a part in the crash. Lyndon Fire Department and Whiteside County Coroner assisted at the scene.