AURORA, ILL. (THECOUNT) — Sariyah Watson, a University of Illinois Chicago track and field star athlete, has been identified as one of three people killed in a wrong-way crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 88 in Aurora, according to reports and Illinois State Police. Watson was 21.
Authorities said Watson was traveling to visit her mother for Mother’s Day when the deadly head-on collision occurred.
The fatal crash happened at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday along the westbound lanes of Interstate 88 near milepost 112.25 in Aurora, located west of Chicago in Kane County.
Illinois State Police said the collision involved a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on the interstate.
According to investigators, an eastbound vehicle entered the westbound lanes of Interstate 88 and collided head-on with another vehicle occupied by Watson and a second passenger.
Authorities confirmed the striking vehicle was occupied solely by the driver.
Watson sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead as a result of the collision.
A second 21-year-old woman traveling with Watson was also killed.
The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, identified only as a 32-year-old man, also died in the crash, according to reports.
Officials have not publicly released the identities of the second female victim or the male driver.
Watson was a junior at the University of Illinois Chicago, commonly known as UIC, where she majored in sports management.
She also competed as a sprinter for the university’s track and field program.
The University of Illinois Chicago is located on the city’s Near West Side and competes in NCAA Division I athletics.
Family members described Watson’s death as a devastating loss.
“No script can be written that will allow you to accept this type of tragic loss,” Watson’s father told ABC7 Chicago.
The collision occurred during the early morning hours along one of the Chicago metropolitan area’s primary east-west interstate corridors.
Interstate 88 connects portions of the western suburbs with downtown Chicago and carries substantial commuter and regional traffic throughout the week.
Emergency responders remained at the crash scene Sunday morning while investigators documented evidence, examined the heavily damaged vehicles, and coordinated traffic operations along the interstate.
Traffic in the area was significantly impacted during the investigation and roadway cleanup operations.
Illinois State Police have not publicly announced whether alcohol, drugs, speed, or other contributing factors may have played a role in the wrong-way crash.
Authorities also have not released additional details regarding how the eastbound vehicle entered the westbound lanes prior to the collision.
The fatal crash remains under active investigation.
Google Maps: Interstate 88 near milepost 112.25, Aurora, Illinois
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