Hospitalized Motorist Charged Over Head-On Oakton Crash

EVANSTON, IL — A Chicago man has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs after crossing over the center line and crashing head-on into another car on Saturday, police said. Fire crews and police units responded to the collision in the 1400 block of Oakton Street, directly across the street from Chute Middle School, shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Jerry Hunter, 45, of the 2200 block of West Chase Avenue in Chicago, was driving eastbound on Oakton Street in a red pickup truck when he drifted across the middle of the road and collided with a westbound beige sedan driven by a 64-year-old Grayslake man with a woman passenger, according to Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan.

Hunter was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Both drivers were taken to St. Francis hospital. Hunter was admitted with a head injury. The Grayslake man had minor injuries. The passenger in his car was examined by Evanston firefighters but not taken to hospital. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Both drivers also received traffic citations. The 64-year-old Grayslake man was issued a citation for not having insurance and another for not having a valid license. Hunter was issued two citations for improper lane usage and one for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Top photo via Evanston Fire Department