Wisconsin mom and son die in crash on Tri-State in Lake Co.

A 24-year-old Wisconsin woman and her toddler son died late Friday in a head-on collision on the Tri-State Tollway in Lake County near Wadsworth.

Nicole Polk, of Algoma, and 16-month-old Tevin Temple were pronounced dead on the scene, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Susan Ewald said. Her 2-year-old son, whose name was not released, was seriously injured and flown to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, Polk was driving south on I-94 near Russell Road in Newport Township when her 2002 Chevy Cavalier veered over the grassy median and into the northbound lanes. She struck a 2004 Toyota Camry head-on driven by a 20-year-old Orland Park woman. The driver of the Camry, who Ewald said "was driving correctly," and three passengers were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries and subsequently released.

Ewald said alcohol may have played a role in the crash.

Polk, who was not wearing a seat belt, was not ejected from the car. However, the crash ejected Temple's car seat, Ewald said. The older son's car seat remained in the car.

Authorities briefly shut down the tollway to accommodate a medical helicopter. Otherwise, lane closures were minimal, Ewald said.

Autopsies will be performed either Sunday or Monday, according to Lake County Coroner Richard Keller, who expected to determine Polk's blood alcohol content by late Monday.