North Chicago police officer arrested in Lake Shore Drive wrong-way crash

March 15, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A police officer allegedly driving the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive is accused of causing a head-on collision that left two people dead Friday morning.

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Authorities say Terrell Garrett, a North Chicago police officer, caused the accident. He was hospitalized with serious injuries and is now under arrest.

The accident happened around 4 a.m. Friday morning in the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive near Diversey.

Two families are now left grieving after, police say, Garrett drove the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive, causing a fatal multi-vehicle crash.

The crash had the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive closed from Belmont to Fullerton for several hours. Cars were stopped, causing a huge backup during the morning commute.

The cars involved were badly mangled, some almost unrecognizable.

Authorities say Garrett was driving his silver Chevy Trailblazer northbound in the southbound lanes. He struck two cars, a silver Toyota Scion, injuring one person inside, and a black Jeep.

Two men inside the Jeep died at the scene. Fabian Torres, 27, was one of the victims.

Family members gathered at his West Side home Friday to mourn together.

The other victim has been identified as 25-year-old Joaquin Garcia.

Garrett remains at Illinois Masonic Hospital.

The North Chicago Police Department has released the following statement:

"The North Chicago Police Department immediately relieved Officer Terrell Garrett of his police powers and has placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Chicago Police Department's investigation."

The Scion driver suffered minor injuries and was released Friday afternoon from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

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