Woman fatally shoots self on I-57 near Vollmer Road
CHICAGO - A Chicago Heights woman fatally shot herself with several children in her vehicle Friday afternoon on Interstate 57 in south suburban Matteson.
Troopers found the 31-year-old woman in the driver’s seat with a self-inflicted gunshot wound about 2:35 p.m. on I-57 near Vollmer Road, according to Illinois State Police. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled the woman’s death a suicide. State police said no foul play was suspected.
A 20-year-old woman and three children in the vehicle — a 10-year-old boy, a 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old girl — were uninjured, state police said.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident, according to state police.
The southbound ramp to Vollmer Road was shut down for over four hours as state police investigated Friday evening.
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (tel:18002738255). Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.