Car Stuck In Concrete As Man Drives Through Closed Oak Park Road

OAK PARK, IL — A couple living in an apartment building at 100 Forest Place in Oak Park heard shouting coming from the street below Wednesday afternoon and found quite the scene outside their 10th-floor window. Resident Lorie Berray told Patch that she and her husband looked down to find a driver inside a car that got stuck in fast-drying concrete at Lake Street and Forest Avenue — a result of driving through two sets of road closure signs and road block materials.

"We opened our windows and watched the whole thing," Berray told Patch. "All the workers started running towards him. He just stayed in his car. He was stuck for about 20 to 30 minutes."

Because this spot is right outside Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, people dining outside also witnessed the concrete craziness.

Berray added that the workers hustled to get the car (resembling an 'older' Lexus model) out by putting lumber down, and pushing the car so the tires would gain traction. However, the man would not get out of the car, Berray said.

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"He tried to take off without stopping once free, so they had to chase him to get him to turn around," Berray told Patch.

Berray said a police officer came to the site right as the man was making his escape, and talked to the workers. The officer left for a short period, and then returned and took pictures of the scene, Berray added.

The driver, however, was no longer there.

"He got away, unless the police talked to him later," Berray told Patch. "A worker took pictures of the license plate and the car, so I am sure they have his information."

As a result of Wednesday afternoon's incident, motorists approaching that area had to turn around in the driveway of the apartment building.

"People are constantly ignoring the road closed signs in this intersection and trying to find a way around them," Berray told Patch.

Nearly 24 hours later, it was "quieter" out there, thanks to the workers parking their cars in the road so no one could (attempt) to go through, Berray added.