Sprinter Sariyah Watson & Two Others Killed in Wrong-Way I-88 Crash

What happened

The crash occurred just after 4 AM Sunday in the westbound lanes of I-88 at milepost 112.25, according to Illinois State Police. A preliminary investigation indicates a vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck another vehicle head-on. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle and both occupants of the car it struck were pronounced dead at the scene.

I-88 was temporarily shut down from Orchard Road to Route 47 while investigators processed the scene. All lanes had reopened by 9:50 AM. The Kane County coroner has not yet released the name of Sariyah's passenger or the identity of the wrong-way driver. Illinois State Police continue to investigate the crash. As of this writing, authorities have not indicated whether impairment was a factor.

Who was Sariyah Watson

Sariyah Watson was a 21-year-old junior sprinter on the University of Illinois Chicago track and field team, majoring in sports management. She was from DeKalb and was on her way there to visit her mother for Mother's Day when the crash occurred. 

Her father, Antonio Watson, described her in terms that matched how she ran: with full force and without hesitation. "She lived life basically the way she would finish a race, with extreme determination and grit," he said. "And it's just so tragic that the finish line came too soon for her."

Relatives said Sariyah had worked with at-risk youth in Seattle the previous summer and was planning to return this summer. "Children just loved her. Her passion just showed immensely in every life that she touched," said her great-aunt, Teresa Jordan.

UIC Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Williams said in a statement: "Our hearts are broken by this tragic loss. On behalf of UIC, we extend our deepest condolences to Sariyah's family, friends, teammates, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." The athletics department said it is providing support for student-athletes, coaches, and staff affected by the tragedy.

Wrong-way crashes: A deadly and persistent problem

Wrong-way collisions on divided highways are relatively rare in terms of overall crash numbers, but they are among the most lethal types of highway accidents. A recent analysis by the AAA Foundation found 4,164 fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways from 2014 to 2023, resulting in 5,730 deaths. Head-on collisions at highway speeds leave almost no margin for survival, which is why these crashes so often result in fatalities on both sides.

The causes of wrong-way driving vary. Impairment, whether from alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, is the most commonly cited factor in research on wrong-way incidents. Distraction, unfamiliar roads, poor signage visibility, and medical emergencies are also documented contributing factors. Investigators have not yet stated what caused the wrong-way driver on I-88 to enter the westbound lanes traveling in the wrong direction, and that determination may not come until crash reconstruction work is complete.

What happens next, legally and practically

The investigation is ongoing. Illinois State Police are the lead agency, and in crashes of this severity, reconstruction teams typically conduct a detailed analysis of vehicle positions, speed estimates, road conditions, and any available electronic data before drawing conclusions or publicly stating causes.

For the families of the two victims killed in the car that was struck, the legal picture depends significantly on what the investigation reveals. If the wrong-way driver was impaired, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. If the wrong-way driver was also carrying insurance, that policy could be a primary source of recovery, though policy limits and the specific facts of the crash would determine how far that coverage extends.

Even if the at-fault driver is deceased, claims can still be brought against the driver's estate. The involvement of a commercial vehicle or a defective road design can also open additional avenues for recovery, though nothing in the current reporting suggests either factor here.

For families navigating the aftermath of a crash like this one, understanding what happened, who was responsible, and what legal options exist is an essential step toward accountability, even when it cannot undo the loss.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Sariyah Watson, to her passenger, who also lost her life, and to everyone who loved them.

If you have lost a family member in a wrong-way crash or serious highway accident, the independent attorneys we connect you with can investigate the cause, identify all potentially liable parties, and help your family pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

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