A Naperville animal lover was fatally struck Monday on the Tri-State Tollway after he got out of his car to help a family of wild ducklings off the road.
Edward Gardner, 38, was hit by a limousine at 9:30 a.m. while attempting to save the ducklings near the O'Hare Oasis around Schiller Park.
"[It was] no surprise to me when I found out that he lost his life trying to save another life," said Jim Gollwitzer, a family friend who'd known Gardner for more than 20 years.
Gardner and his girlfriend heading to his parents' house, in Norridge, when Gardner saw the ducks trying to cross the roadway.
"Eddie saw this family of ducks trying to cross [Interstate] 294, and there was no way Eddie was going to let a family with baby ducks get hurt or killed," said Gollwitzer.
Gardner stopped the vehicle on the right shoulder and got out on the road to try and help when the limousine hit him. Paramedics rushed Gardner to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he later died.
As a way to remember his friend, Gollwitzer and others will help prep Gardner's beloved 1960 Chevy Parkwood station wagon for an upcoming auto show.
The case is currently under investigation by authorities, but no tickets were issued to the limousine driver.
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