Dawn Patrol: CTA driver worked long hours before crash; FAA doesn't allow solo shifts in cockpit
Blue Line operator worked long hours before crash, documents show
Brittney Haywood was exhausted as the CTA Blue Line train she piloted sped toward the end of the route at the O'Hare stop one year ago. “I was operating normal up until I reached O'Hare,” she told National Transportation Safety Board lead investigator Ted Turpin a day after the train she operated hit a bumper post and bounced onto an escalator, injuring numerous passengers March 24, 2014. I was tired. I didn't get any sleep the day before, I might ... I have ... I became sleepy and I nodded off,” Haywood testified, according to documents released by the NTSB Thursday. Full story.
Weather
Following snow flurries early this morning, temperatures will only reach a high of 31 degrees — more like January than late March — thanks to a cold air surge that is blasting the Chicago area. AccuWeather says temperatures will feel in the teens due to a gusty breeze. Temperatures are expected to increase gradually Saturday and Sunday, and rebound into the 50s new week. Full story.
Why FAA doesn't allow solo shifts in the cockpit
Leaving the cockpit in control of one individual as happened in the Germanwings air disaster is against U.S. Federal Aviation Administration rules, the agency said Thursday amid the news that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately steered the jet into a mountainside, killing 150 people. The association of domestic airlines also requires its pilots to take regular medical examinations, per FAA policy. Full story.
Three injured when truck crashes through Big Rock Café
A driver who hit the gas when he meant to brake ended up smashing through the front wall of the Big Rock Café on Thursday afternoon in Big Rock, injuring himself and two restaurant employees, authorities said. The first Kane County sheriff's deputies on the scene found that the large black truck, which was driven by 71-year-old Richard Mayer of Somonauk, had burst through the wall before coming to a stop in the kitchen. Full story.
Traffic
Icy road conditions contributed to several accidents this morning, including four along Route 53 in the northwest suburbs. Another accident along I-88 at York Road. Heavy traffic along Route 53 south of I-90. Moderate traffic otherwise reported across the Chicago area. Full story.
Wheeling man held without bail
While investigating shootings Saturday in Prospect Heights, police arrested a Wheeling man on gun charges. Daniel Uriostegui, 23, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He appeared in bond court Thursday, where Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo ordered him held without bail for violating his 2014 probation for marijuana possession. Full story.
Ex-Blackhawk fitting in nicely with Wolves
After helping the Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup, Colin Fraser moved on to win titles with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. This season, the 30-year-old British Columbia native serves as a veteran leader for the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves — and as a father of two living in the Borthwest suburbs. Read the Q and A with Fraser here.
Wisconsin hangs on, makes Elite Eight
Sam Dekker scored a career-high 23 points, Frank Kaminsky added 19 and top-seeded Wisconsin rallied in the final 10 minutes to hold off North Carolina 79-72 Thursday night and advance to the final eight of the NCAA men's tournament. Zak Showalter came off the bench to score six points in the Badgers' 19-7 comeback run that sent them into the West Regional final Saturday. Full story.
Who will play Bulls in first round?
In his column for Friday's paper, Bulls beat reporter Mike McGraw takes a look at the opponents the team could face in the first round of the playoffs. McGraw rates the potential rivals, which include the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards, on a scale from “Mild” and “Barely Registers” to “Uncomfortable” and “Punishing.” Full column.