Chicago Man Charged with DUI after Wrong Way Crash on Stevenson

Rakesh J. Baker, 23, is alleged to have driven his SUV the wrong way for over five miles on the outbound Stevenson Expressway early Friday morning. The incident ended with Baker’s vehicle crashing head-on into a small car on a ramp to Lake Shore Drive. Both drivers were seriously injured according to police. Baker, has been charged with DUI, driving the wrong way, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and driving without insurance. He was placed into custody at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

A 24-year-old South Side woman was driving the other vehicle and was also taken to Northwestern with serious injuries. Police say that that luckily neither driver experienced life-threatening injuries. Illinois State Police began receiving calls around 3 a.m. reporting that an SUV was traveling the wrong way on the Stevenson. The crash occured at approximately 3:15 a.m. According to court records, Baker recieved more than a half-dozen Cook County traffic tickets over the last five years. He was released upon bond after his arrest.

DUI charges for wrong-way driver after collision on Stevenson ramp, www.chicagotribune.com, February 3, 2012 Wrong-Way Driver Slams Head-On Into Car On Stevenson Ramp, www.cbslocal.com, February 3, 2012