Fatal I-64 wrong-way collision sparks safety calls

ST. LOUIS - A wrong-way crash on Interstate 64 late Sunday night left two people dead and another critically injured, renewing calls for additional highway safety measures at a location that has seen similar tragedies. According to St Louis Metropolitan police accident reconstruction, the crash happened around 11:45 p.m. when the driver of a Mazda CX entered the westbound lanes of Interstate 64 while traveling eastbound. Investigators said the Mazda collided head-on with a Ford Explorer near Jefferson Avenue. Both vehicles caught fire following the crash, and the drivers of both vehicles died at the scene. A 23-year-old passenger in the Mazda was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remained in critical condition as of the latest update. The deadly crash struck a painful chord for Dawn Whalen, whose son, Alex, was killed in a wrong-way crash at the same location last year involving an alleged drunk driver. Dawn said when she saw the same thing happened again, it was gut wrenching. "I was scrolling through my phone and I came across the article, and I honestly just couldn't believe it," Whalen said. "My body was shaking on the inside, and I cried for a while." Whalen said learning another family is now facing a similar loss has been heartbreaking. "I was so upset that more people have died from that intersection," she said. "It's so unfortunate. I know what the families will be going through. It's total devastation." Since losing her son, Whalen has worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to advocate for stronger highway safety measures. She also has worked with Senator David Gregory and helped establish the ‘Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act,’ legislation aimed at preventing wrong-way crashes. "It could be things such as signage, additional flashing lights at arrows, or wrong-way technology," Whalen said. She also believes existing license plate reader cameras, commonly known as Flock cameras, could play a larger role in preventing wrong-way drivers from entering highways. "Flock cameras are already equipped and have the interface," she said. "They just need to be turned on for wrong-way technology. That's something that we want." Although the legislation has passed the senate, the bill is still facing adjustments. According to the state's website, the Department will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of notification systems for other drivers and for emergency responders,  then will produce annual reports on the implementation and effectiveness of WWVDS (Wrong-way vehicle detection systems).  Police continue to investigate what led to Sunday's wrong-way crash and have not yet released the identities of those involved. As investigators work to determine what happened, Whalen says her thoughts remain with the families who are now experiencing the same grief she knows all too well. "I just hope they take their time and can get through it," she said.