Woman killed, children injured in head-on crash amid snowstorm, Gurnee police say

GURNEE, Ill. (WLS) -- A woman was killed, and two children were hurt after police say a driver struck a patch of ice in the north suburbs. The crash happened on Sunday at about 8:54 p.m. on Grand Avenue over Interstate 94, Gurnee police said.

The driver of a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling west on Grand Avenue when they tried to change lanes. Police said due to the winter weather conditions, the vehicle is believed to have struck a patch of ice, causing it to lose control, cross over the center median, and enter the eastbound lanes of traffic.

The Suburban crashed head-on with a 2007 Ford Focus traveling east on Grand Avenue.

Police said the crash forced the Ford Focus off the roadway and into a ditch.

The driver of the Ford Focus, Bria Allen, a 29-year-old woman from Evanston, died at the scene. The Lake County Coroner's Office said Allen died from blunt force injuries she suffered in the crash.

A 29-year-old woman from Waukegan, along with her 5-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, were taken to area hospitals with injuries. Their current conditions were not immediately known.

No other injuries were reported.

Gurnee police and the Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating the crash.