Man with Eight Felony Convictions Causes Crash on Dan Ryan Expressway

CHICAGO — Karris Turner, a 35-year-old man with eight felony convictions, was involved in a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway just ten days after being released from prison. The crash left a woman paralyzed and Turner’s girlfriend with two broken legs. Turner fled the scene without assisting anyone or reporting the incident, according to officials.

Illinois State troopers witnessed the crash on the inbound express lanes near 43rd Street around 3:20 a.m. on August 11. They found a woman on the pavement and five damaged cars at the scene.

Investigations revealed that Turner, driving with his girlfriend in the front passenger seat, caused a chain reaction crash by striking another vehicle. His Hyundai spun around and hit a 36-year-old woman standing outside her SUV on the shoulder, leaving her paralyzed.

Turner’s girlfriend underwent multiple surgeries to repair her broken legs, while Turner evaded capture for weeks. He was eventually arrested by Chicago police during a recent traffic stop.

Judge William Fahy detained Turner as a flight risk and on a parole warrant from the Illinois Department of Correction. Turner is expected to remain in prison until August 1, when his four-year sentence for aiding the escape of a felon concludes. He faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.

Prior to this incident, Turner had convictions for felon in possession of a firearm in 2019, narcotics-related charges in 2017, 2013, and 2007, as well as aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a peace officer in 2008.

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