State police say a southbound car driven by Nicole Polk of Algoma, Wis., entered the northbound lanes and crashed head-on into another vehicle around 11 p.m. Open alcohol was found in Polk's car, according to Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Susan Ewald. An autopsy will determine if drinking played a part in the crash.
Polk and her 1-year-old son were declared dead at the scene. Five other people- including Polk's 2-year-old child- were transported to area hospitals. The 2-year-old remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The four other people -- who were in the northbound car Polk crashed into -- were treated and released. The crash shut down the northbound lanes for several hours. All lanes are back open.
