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2 Killed in Fiery I-88 Crash in Aurora, Illinois State Police Say

On Friday, July 31, 29-year-old Juan Ruiz-Huerta drove the wrong way on the Dan Ryan Expressway, causing a five-vehicle crash that killed 28-year-old passenger Victory Swanigan, according to Illinois State Police.
Prosecutors allege Ruiz-Huerta, angry over the "status of their relationship," drove the wrong way to "scare" Swanigan after she pleaded for her life, telling officers he "put her in danger to get an answer from her."
Black box data showed Ruiz-Huerta traveled 86 mph five seconds before collision with 25% accelerator depression and no braking, as surveillance video captured him swerving between vehicles before flipping over the concrete median near 55th Street.
During a Monday hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Cook County Judge James Costello ordered Ruiz-Huerta to remain in custody on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated battery.
Ruiz-Huerta is due back in court on August 19, while the other driver injured in the crash suffered multiple rib fractures and a liver laceration, authorities said.

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Patch

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2 Dead In I-88 Crash Near Aurora: Reports

One of the two cars involved caught fire, according to a report.

6 hours ago·New York, United States

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CBS News

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2 dead after fiery crash on I-88 in Aurora, Illinois

A fiery crash shut down eastbound I-88 in Aurora, Illinois, early Wednesday morning.

7 hours ago·New York, United States

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abc 7 Chicago

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2 killed in fiery I-88 crash in Aurora, Illinois State Police say

A crash closed lanes on I-88 in Aurora for five hours Wednesday morning, Illinois State Police said.

10 hours ago·Chicago, United States

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WFLD

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2 killed in fiery crash on I-88 in Aurora, ISP says

Two people were killed in a fiery overnight crash on I-88 in Aurora, according to Illinois State Police.

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Block Club Chicago

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Man Charged With Murder In Fatal Wrong-Way Crash On Dan Ryan

Juan Ruiz Huerta was arguing with his passenger Friday when he turned his car around in traffic and struck an oncoming driver, killing the passenger in Huerta's car, police said.

21 hours ago·Chicago, United States

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Chicago Sun Times

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Wrong-way Dan Ryan driver was trying to 'scare' woman pleading for her life, prosecutors say

<p>An Aurora man remains in custody Tuesday a day after prosecutors allege he drove the wrong way on the Dan Ryan Expressway to "scare" a woman who was pleading for her life moments before she died as a result of a five-vehicle crash. </p><p>Juan Ruiz-Huerta, 29, was charged with first degree murder, kidnapping, unlawful restraint and aggravated battery <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/07/31/dan-ryan-crash" target="_b…

23 hours ago·Chicago, United States

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