A party bus driver named Gregory Baldwin has been sentenced to two years in prison for causing a chaotic crash involving 18 vehicles near Wrigley Field in Boystown three years ago. Baldwin, 48, had dropped off his passengers at the ballpark on a busy Saturday afternoon in August 2022, during the annual Northalsted Market Days street festival.
According to prosecutors, Baldwin was driving the party bus north on Broadway near Cornelia when he decided to drive around a backup and entered into oncoming traffic, despite a witness trying to stop him. The reckless driving led to a series of collisions, including crashing into a Chicago Fire Department ambulance with an EMT inside.
A video capturing part of the incident went viral, showing the chaos caused by Baldwin’s actions. A motorist followed the party bus and kept 911 operators informed of its location until police were able to corner it in a circular drive at the mouth of Belmont Harbor. A Market Days crew member also assisted in identifying the bus driver.
This week, Baldwin pleaded guilty to criminal damage to government property for damaging the ambulance. Judge Aleksandra Gillespie handed him a two-year prison sentence, with two days of credit for time served after his arrest. With the opportunity for sentence reduction due to good behavior, Baldwin is expected to be released from prison in approximately one year.
The incident involving Baldwin’s party bus crash was a concerning and disruptive event that caused significant damage and endangered the lives of multiple individuals. The swift response by law enforcement and the efforts of witnesses helped bring Baldwin to justice and ensure accountability for his actions.
CWBChicago, a local news source dedicated to providing accurate and detailed public safety reporting, covered the story to inform the community about the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of following traffic laws. Their commitment to delivering reliable information with context and depth continues to serve the residents of Wrigleyville, Boystown, and other North Side areas.
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