crash

Midway Luggage Driver Killed in Crash at Airport

The 52-year-old man was ejected from the vehicle he was driving

A luggage driver for Southwest Airlines was killed in a crash while on the job at Chicago's Midway International Airport Friday night, according to police. 

The man, identified as 52-year-old Michael Yates of Carol Stream, was driving a luggage vehicle at about 11:20 p.m. when it crashed with another vehicle and ejected him from the car, police said.

Yates was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at about 1 a.m., police said.

Yates was a retired DuPage County sheriff's deputy who loved to travel, his son told NBC Chicago. He took the job at Southwest a few months ago to keep himself busy and earn travel benefits.

"After an accident involving ground equipment, one of our Ramp Agents at Chicago Midway passed away last night," Melissa Ford, a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines, said in statement. "Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time. Resources will be on site to support our Southwest Family at Midway."

The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.

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