Joliet Man, 18, Killed In Joliet Township Crash: Coroner

JOLIET TOWNSHIP — Will County Sheriff’s police are investigating after an 18-year-old Joliet man was killed in a crash Sunday evening.

On Sunday, at approximately 6:31 p.m., deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 17300 block of New Lenox Road in response to a report of a traffic crash with injuries, according to a release.

Upon arrival, deputies found a Honda sedan with significant damage to the passenger side. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling westbound when the driver lost control, crossed into the eastbound lane, and slid sideways off the roadway. The vehicle then struck a large, unoccupied piece of construction equipment, police said. At the time of the crash, this portion of New Lenox Road was under construction.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Mason Smolik, was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Will County Coroner's Office said Monday.

The crash remains under investigation by the Will County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit.

Editor's note: The Will County Sheriff's Office initially incorrectly identified the location of the crash as New Lenox Township. The story has been updated to clarify that the crash occurred in Joliet Township.