There Was Another Wrong Way Crash In The Chicago Area

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 22, 2012 11:00PM

If you were finding travel on the northbound Kennedy expressway to be a problem this morning, it was with good reason. All but one lane were shut down early this morning because of the fifth wrong-way crash to happen in the Chicago area since December, and the fourth this month.

Vanessa M. Castillo was charged with DUI, driving the wrong way and operating a vehicle without a driver's license in the crash and was in serious condition at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She entered the Kennedy at Armitage and started moving inbound on the outbound lanes, where she clipped a second car and hit a semi-tractor trailer before slamming head-on into a third car. Authorities said Castillo reeked of alcohol and was unresponsive when they emergency crews arrived. the driver of the car she slammed into suffered fractured legs, but was responsive, and was in serious condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Records indicate Castillo had her license suspended in 2009 because she didn't have high-risk insurance. Last night's crash may indicate why that was necessary. Once she's released from the hospital, Castillo will remain in custody until she posts bond.