A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle Monday morning on the inbound I-94, killing one person, Illinois State Police said.
The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. on the Bishop Ford Freeway near 122nd Street, about a mile north of the 130th Street exit. The driver was traveling south in the northbound lanes, police said. A red plastic cup and a half-empty bottle of vodka were found inside the car.
"A black Chevrolet was traveling southbound in the northbound Bishop Ford lanes, in the left lanes," said Lt. Jeff Pfotenhauer of the Illinois State Police. "It struck a black Honda. From there, the black Honda engaged with a semi-trailer, bounced off the trailer, going back into [the left lane] striking the center wall."
The wrong-way driver was identified as Kenneth Owens, 24, of Chicago. He was taken to Christ Hospital in serious condition, police said. Charges are pending.
Ronnie Head was the driver of the Honda. The 54-year-old from Dolton was pronounced dead upon arriving to an area hospital.
Following the crash, all traffic was forced off the freeway and north of 130th, causing huge commuter delays.
Earlier Monday morning, another fatal crash was reported at 3:07 a.m. on I-94 northbound at 152nd Street. A 2000 Nissan was traveling northbound when it left the road and struck a tree, according to Illinois State Police.
The driver, Darius L. Raheem, 22, was pronounced at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
