Wrong-way driver causes crash on US 45 near Wisconsin Avenue

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Emergency crews were called to a crash on Highway 45 near Wisconsin Avenue early Thursday morning, November 21st.

According to officials, the crash occurred around 1:00 a.m. as the result of a wrong-way driver.

Sheriff's officials say they received a 911 call reporting a wrong-way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-94 at 84th Street.

A crash occurred at U.S. 45 southbound at Bluemound Road.

Sheriff's officials say the driver, 23-year-old Kara Whitlow of Waukesha crashed head on into a bridge pillar in the right distress lane. Whitlow was trapped in the vehicle, but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Another vehicle was in the right lane, further south of the crash, and was struck by Whitlow's vehicle. One of the two occupants complained of minor injuries, is six weeks pregnant and was taken to the hospital, according to Sheriff's officials.

A third vehicle struck Whitlow's front driver's side tire, which had come off when the wrong-way driver struck the second vehicle. Neither of the two occupants in this vehicle were injured, according to Sheriff's officials.

Whitlow was arrested for second degree recklessly endangering safety, DUI - 2nd, causing injury and OAR/OWI-related.

Whitlow's prior DUI conviction occurred in March of 2012.

Sheriff's officials say Whitlow told officials she had two glasses of wine and one vodka beverage at On the Border, and two beers at Paulie's. She also admitted to having smoked marijuana earlier in the day.

Sheriff's officials say Whitlow entered the freeway the wrong way at 84th Street.