Dan Ryan wrong way crash that killed one. Photo from Chicago Sun Times.
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Police have officially charged a man with murder, after the deadly wrong way crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The details just got more disturbing.
What Happened
According to CBS News, on Friday, July 31, Juan Ruiz Huerta, 29, picked up Victory Swanigan, 29, who had been getting her hair done. Prosecutors say Huerta had pursued Swanigan for months and referred to her as “a girlfriend.” However, prosecutors allege Huerta was not happy with their current relationship or lack thereof. This was what led to an altercation between the two, reports claim.
During their ride, CBS writes, “ …prosecutors said he got angry with her about the status of their relationship and began arguing with her.” At some point, she saw help, and she made a plea.
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As Huerta slowed down on 31st because of traffic, Swanigan saw a police car and yelled for help. Huerta didn’t stop to let her out. He did the exact opposite.
In a terrifying move, reports say Huerta turned around and headed south in the northbound lanes “at a high rate of speed.”
Swanigan was on FaceTime and had called a friend. According to that friend, Swanigan asked Huerta to slow down and let her out. She told him she had three kids to live for. But he snapped.
CTA Red Line surveillance cameras caught the car speeding in the wrong direction and swerving through express lanes. Eventually, the car is shown smashing head first into another vehicle. The results were catastrophic.
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Huerta’s car flew in the air, flipped over the concrete medium and landed in the local lanes. Huerta and the other driver both lived. However, Swanigan was pronounced dead at the scene near 55th and the Red Line.
Prosecutors reviewed the black box of Huerta’s vehicle and found undeniable evidence. They claim he was going 86 miles an hour 5 seconds before the crash and 78 miles an hour at the time of impact. There was no indication he attempted to press the brakes, they asserted. He also gave a statement.
Huerta allegedly admitted to intentionally driving the wrong way on the expressway. He said he was tired of “her lies and that heartache led him to this.” He said he put her in danger to get answers from her, CBS writes. Instead, he took a mother from her kids.
The Takeaway
On Monday, Illinois State Police officially arrested Juan Ruiz Huerta. He was charged with three counts of murder. He is also facing one count of aggravated battery, kidnapping, unlawful restraint and multiple traffic violations. The judge ordered him held without release, pending trial. Huerta is due back in court August 19.
Jermaine Reed, MFA is an educator and the Editor-in-Chief of TheReedersBlock. Pick up one of his fiction or nonfiction books here on Amazon. The fiction entertains you, but the nonfiction helps you grow financially and personally. Be sure to leave a book review. Doing so enables others to find these powerful books. Email editor@thereedersblock.com with any questions.
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