Rolling Meadows HS graduate Erik Cox, 18, died while changing a tire on the Eisenhower Expressway – NBC Chicago

An 18-year-old man who was hit and killed while changing a tire on the Eisenhower Expressway had graduated from high school just a week earlier, relatives said.

Erik Christopher Cox was one of two people killed in a crash on the westbound lanes of the highway near Damen Avenue around 3 a.m. Three others were injured, according to Illinois State Police.

Cox’s legal guardian told NBC Chicago his car broke down after a night on the town – and he got out to change the tire when he died. According to relatives, Cox graduated from Rolling Meadows High School last week and had big plans for his future.

He wanted to study graphic design at Columbia College in the fall.

“He was a gentle giant, a big kid and very intelligent,” said Fernando Chavarria, Cox’s legal guardian.

The second person killed in the crash had not been identified as of Sunday evening.

It remained unclear whether the driver involved was located by state police.