Confused Old Geezer Causes Multicar Crash, Closes Major Freeway for Hours

The article doesn't mention the driver's age, but how many civillians under the age of 55 drive Crown Victorias? Clearly the driver was some confused old buffoon who was well past his expiration date and should never have been behind the wheel. Looks like he took his wife with him; thank God the two innocent people in the Toyota Corolla got out safely.

By Brendan McCarthy Tribune staff reporter Published March 29, 2005, 12:55 PM CST

Police blamed reckless driving for a multi-vehicle crash early this morning that took two lives and snarled expressway traffic in downtown Chicago for nearly four hours.

The driver of the Ford Crown Victoria that triggered the crash allegedly had been involved in two hit-run accidents moments before the bane pileup.

The events started when the Ford sideswiped a tour bus, empty except for its driver, on the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway near 18th Street, police said.

The Ford's driver fled the scene without stopping, continued onto the Kennedy and took the Monroe Street exit, police said. Then, for an unknown reason, the motorist stopped on the exit ramp and backed up, striking another car.

The Ford then sped back onto the expressway, into the path of an 18-wheel semi-trailer loaded with steel, police said. The truck slammed into the Ford and pushed it and a Toyota Corolla into the left median wall. Both cars burst into flames.

The occupants of the Toyota sustained minor injuries and got out safely, but the Ford's driver and his pbuttenger were trapped inside the burning vehicle and died, police said. Their idenbreasties had not yet been released as of noon, pending notification of next of kin.

-- When are you people going to wake up to the fact that rebates are a SCAM?