A Friday argument on Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway allegedly spiraled into a high-speed wrong-way drive that killed a 28-year-old woman and left two drivers critically injured. Prosecutors say the woman pleaded to be let out of the car as the accused driver kept moving toward oncoming traffic.
Juan Ruiz Huerta, a 29-year-old Aurora man, was arrested Monday and charged with three counts of murder, along with kidnapping, aggravated battery, unlawful restraint and multiple traffic violations, according to CBS Chicago.
Prosecutors said Huerta had been pursuing Victory Swanigan romantically for several months and referred to her as his girlfriend. After picking Swanigan up from a hair appointment, authorities said the two argued about their relationship while Huerta drove north on the expressway.
The confrontation reportedly intensified near 31st Street, where Swanigan shouted toward a police car for help, prosecutors said. Huerta then allegedly turned around and drove south in the northbound lanes, entering the express lanes while traveling against traffic.
Prosecutors Say Car Hit 86 Mph Before Impact
Swanigan was on a FaceTime call with a friend during the drive, according to prosecutors, who said the friend heard her plead with Huerta to slow down and let her out. Swanigan also reportedly told the friend that she had three children she wanted to see again.
CTA surveillance cameras captured Huerta’s car swerving across lanes before it slammed head-on into another vehicle, prosecutors said. Data from the car’s black box showed it traveling about 86 mph roughly five seconds before the collision and 78 mph at impact, with no sign that the brakes were applied.
The crash sent Huerta’s vehicle airborne over the concrete median and into the local lanes. Swanigan was pronounced dead at the scene, while Huerta and the other driver were critically injured but survived, as detailed by CBS Chicago.
Huerta Is Due Back In Court August 19
Prosecutors said Huerta admitted intentionally driving the wrong way and ignoring Swanigan’s pleas to stop. He allegedly told investigators he had “had enough of her lies” and said heartache led him to drive into danger to get an answer about their relationship.
A Cook County judge ordered Huerta held in jail while he awaits trial. Prosecutors also said he has three prior speeding convictions that resulted in the suspension of his driver’s license, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 19.
Charges Remain Allegations
The charges against Huerta are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case will now focus on the evidence surrounding the alleged abduction, the surveillance footage, the vehicle data and the events leading up to the fatal collision.
