It happened about 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Lisle Township near the Morton Arboretum.
According to authorities, the wrong-way driver crashed his car head on into another car driven by 42-year-old Karim Ali of Elmhurst. Ali was critically injured. His wife Farzana Ali, 37, and her father Sherali Shalwani, 74, both of Elmhurst, died.
The wrong-way driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
It was not clear Sunday if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. Illinois State Police are investigating.