Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Clinging To Life After Head-On Crash: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A drunk driver was left clinging to life after slamming into an oncoming car on South Chicago Street Sunday morning, police said.

Edgar Hernandez-Cruz, 35, was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove following the wreck about a quarter mile south of Mills Road.

Hernandez-Cruz was heading north in the southbound lanes of the divided road when he collided head-on with a Nissan Armada shortly before 6 a.m., police said.

Hernandez-Cruz had to be extricated from his Volkswagen Beetle, as did the 35-year-old driver of the Armada. Police reportedly found empty beer bottles in Hernandez-Cruz’s car.

The driver of the Armada was heading to his job at the Dollar Tree warehouse when Hernandez-Cruz crashed into him, police said. He was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center.

Hernandez remained in critical condition at Good Samaritan, police said on Monday. He was charged with driving under the influence.