BUSTED: Deputies arrest wrong-way driver after hit-and-run crash

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a 51-year-old Milwaukee woman after she allegedly crashed her car near I-94 and Rawson Ave. and then drove the wrong way on the interstate.

Maria Gonzalez

Officials say this case unfolded around 6:15 a.m. on Friday, February 20th. That's when deputies were notified of a crash in southbound I-94 at Rawson Ave. One of the vehicles had left the scene, driving northbound in the southbound lanes, and multiple squads responded. Traffic cam video apparently shows the car turned to go in the correct direction near College Avenue. Officials say the car then exited at Rawson, stopped momentarily, and then fled the scene. Deputies stopped the vehicle a short time later at 13th and Drexel Avenue.

The driver of the vehicle is identified as Maria Gonzalez. She told deputies that a semi moved into her lane and she attempted to move over, but lost control.  Gonzalez did not show any signs of intoxication -- and said she just panicked.

Gonzalez has no criminal history. But she now faces the following citations and potential charges related to Friday’s incident: Hit and Run (Occupied Vehicle), Driving Wrong Way-Divided Highway, and Failure to Control Vehicle.

If convicted of the Hit and Run charge, Gonzalez faces up to six months in prison. The wrong-way charge could be increased to Recklessly Endangering Safety after the district attorney reviews the case.