March 20, 2010
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE
The body of a 22-year-old woman was found thrown 100 feet from a sport-utility vehicle after a rollover crash early Saturday in southwest suburban Lockport.
Kristin L. Smolik, of Mokena Township, was pronounced dead at 2:05 a.m. in the 14600 block of New Avenue in Lockport, according to the Will County Coroner's office. She was the victim of a single-motor vehicle accident.
The crash happened about 12:30 a.m. when Smolik was driving south on New Avenue and her vehicle left the roadway, according to a Lockport police release.
Smolik's Jeep Liberty rolled over and she was ejected from the car and found approximately 100 feet further south, the release said.
The crash shut down traffic for about 3-1/2 hours as police investigated the crash. A Chicago helicopter was also called in for a thorough search for any additional victims, the release said.
It was unclear whether alcohol or a lack of a seat belt restraint were factors and a cause of the crash had not yet been determined Saturday morning, the release said. Lockport accident re-constructionists have taken over the investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.