Gawking and Alcohol Contributed to Ugly I-57 Pileup Monday

Alcohol and gawking appear to be factors in the chain reaction.

The ugly scene began at 2:30 a.m. when two cars hit each other in the northbound lanes. EMTs in a privately owned ambulance stopped to render aid, and the ambulance was struck by another car, according to State Police. As the scene unfolded, the driver of a car in the southbound lanes of I-57 slowed down to watch, and another car struck that one.

Eight people were hurt in the northbound lanes, and two men were injured in the southbound lanes, Chicago fire Chief Juan Hernandez told the Chicago Tribune. Three were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in stable condition. One was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition. Another was taken to Stroger Hospital, also in serious condition. MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island took four patients in fair condition.

The accident scene was cleared before morning rush hour.