Woman, 25, Dies Following Horrific Joliet Wreck On South Chicago

JOLIET, IL —The Joliet Police Department announced on Wednesday morning that a 25-year-old Joliet woman, Joseil Escalonda-Gomez, has died at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn following Monday's early morning wreck with a semi-trailer along the entrance into downtown Joliet.

Escalonda-Gomez was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle. Four people in the car were from Joliet and one was from El Paso, Texas.

At 5:12 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of South Chicago Street and McDonough Street for a traffic crash with injuries. A Volkswagen Passat driven by a 28-year-old man from Joliet was eastbound on McDonough Street approaching South Chicago Street.

The Volkswagen entered the intersection and struck the trailer of an International Harvester semi- truck driven by a 34-year-0ld Bensenville man who was southbound on South Chicago Street.

"It is believed that the traffic light was green for southbound Chicago Street traffic and red for eastbound McDonough Street traffic, however this remains under investigation," Joliet police announced.

Three other people in the car remained in critical condition after the crash while one passenger was upgraded to stable.