Truck driver cited for fatal CTA crash
A 64-year-old Michigan man was cited for negligent driving Sunday for a crash that killed two people when a semi truck struck a CTA train station Friday afternoon on the Near South Side. He has since been released from police custody.
Donald L. Wells, of the 3100 block of South Lapeer Road in Metamora, Mich., was cited for negligent driving, a local municipal charge, police said. A court date was not immediately available.
(Chris Sweda/Sun-Times)
PHOTO GALLERY
CTA station crash
Chicago Police stressed that the investigation is still ongoing.
According to sources, police planned to review the log book of the truck driver -- who has declined to take a urine test -- in an effort to determine if he was taking drugs to stay awake. Meanwhile, a police source said alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash, but other possibilities are being looked at.
The semi truck Wells was allegedly driving crashed into the Red Line’s Chinatown station about 5:20 p.m. Friday. The truck came barreling down a Dan Ryan Expy. exit ramp, smashed into the bus stop outside the CTA station and traveled up the station's escalator and north stairwell.
Elosia Guerrero, 47, of the 2500 block of South Trumbull Avenue, and Delisia Brown, 18, of the 7300 block of South Albany Avenue, died from multiple injuries from a semi truck striking a CTA train station. Both deaths were ruled accidents, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
The Chicago Fire Department said more than 20 people were injured, including six children.
Just before 11 p.m. Sunday, Wells was taken by ambulance from the Wentworth District police station to an area hospital after he complained to police about shoulder and neck pains.
After the accident, Wells was able to walk away from the wreckage, but was taken to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where a blood test showed no signs of alcohol, said Stroger spokesman Sean Howard.
He was driving the semi truck for Whiteline Express, a Plymouth, Mich.-based company.
Chicago Police are reviewing CTA video surveillance, as well as asking anyone with information regarding the accident to contact the Major Accidents Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.
"We're urging them to contact us with anything they may have seen leading up to the accident," police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
