Weather takes toll, claims life of Westmont woman

Unrelenting snowfall caused hundreds of accidents across the Northwest suburbs Saturday, claiming the life of one Westmont woman.

Laura McCracken, a 56-year-old Westmont resident, apparently lost control of her car at 9:32 a.m. while traveling in the left lane of southbound I-55 near Lemont Road.

After McCracken's car struck the median wall and spun around, state police said a car coming from behind plowed into the driver-side door of her vehicle.

McCracken was pronounced dead on the scene.

State police also reported a "constant" number of spin-outs and fender benders throughout the day, putting their Emergency Snow Plan into effect Saturday afternoon. The plan requires the parties involved in damage-only accidents to go directly to police headquarters to report accidents, freeing police to concentrate on more serious calls.

Local routes, too, saw their share of weather-related accidents. Barrington Hills reported a two-vehicle crash on Route 62 east of 25 Saturday morning. Another driver struck a pole on Algonquin Road near Pyott Road a short time later.

With nearly 10 inches of snow at O'Hare International Airport since the storm began Friday morning, more than 75 flights were canceled, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Average delay time was 110 minutes.

More snow is expected in the days to come, with the weather service predicting a 30 percent chance of showers Sunday and a 60 percent chance Monday afternoon. Temperatures are expected at around 30 degrees both days.

Daily Herald staff writers Dann Gire and Larissa Chinwah contributed to this report.