Illinois highway accident devastates Alabama family

Tragedy struck an Alabama family last week when a car driving the wrong way on Interstate 80 in Illinois slammed into a car driven by Jason Wepsiec, 34. Investigators say Wepsiec was killed instantly. Police called Wepsiec’s parents, Jim and Sue, at 4:30 in the morning to inform them of their son’s death. The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 in the morning and closed I-80 for six hours.

As the driver and passengers of the other car were seen at a strip club prior to the accident, police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. The driver of the other car, 29-year old Gustavo Vargas, was killed, along with two passengers. A third passenger was in stable condition at Christ Medical Center.

According to police, Vargas made an illegal U-turn using a highway turnaround. He drove east at a high rate of speed in the westbound lane.

Jim and Sue Wepsiec had retired to Alabama some months ago. They spoke about Jason with the Chicago Sun-Times, recalling his fondness for fly-fishing, bowling, football—Jason had been a fan of the New York Giants—and guitar. He had recently earned his GED, and he encouraged his mother to follow suit.

The Sun-Times report can be found here.