Oct 4, 2008 10:07 pm US/Central
Wrong Way Driver Kills One On North Tollway
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
A driver going the wrong way on the Dallas North Tollway early Saturday morning claimed a woman's life.
When the dust finally settled three cars had tangled. The cause, say investigators, was a car heading northbound in the southbound lanes.
Emrah Clik and his cousin were stunned at what was coming at them. "We didn't have time to take action, it just hit us." Two cars, one driving the wrong way, had collided. He described that they knew they were next. "All I see, they're coming. I thought it was a dream. I look again and they hit each other and they fly."
Click and his cousin survived the crash with scrapes and bruises. Two people in a Lexus that was hit head on were not so fortunate.
Both went to Parkland Hospital where the passenger, 27-year-old Jualiana Rincon-Cuartas, died of her injuries. She had a Dallas address but is from Colombia. Driver Ruben Siguenza was treated and released.
Texas State Trooper Lonny Haschel says and unnamed Dallas Police officer saw the driver heading the wrong way, but was in another lane and unable to take action in time to head off the crash.
No one knows yet why that driver, 26-year-old James Giraldo of Dallas, was going the wrong direction, investigators are checking to see if alcohol played a role.
Giraldo was treated and released from Parkland. Investigators say charges are pending; if alcohol was involved he could face intoxication manslaughter.
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