overheating

[racing8girl]

I broke down in Michigan a week ago - where the car still remains, going to get it this weekend - yeah! BUT - here's my problem.....
Filled it up with oil, checked all the fluids, etc before getting on the road, when I started it - it was running a little rough - didnt think anything of it - it had been sitting for 4 days - so figured it was that. I got about 15 miles down the road & it overheated to the redline - i pulled accross 3 lane highway to get the the exit i was passing & drifted it to a hault. Coolant was empty & I was down 1 quart of oil. Towed it back to my friends house, it wouldnt start....next day, started once & again ran real rough, & it quickly shut itself off & hasnt been able to start again. I replaced plugs, wires & thermostat - nothing.
Has this happened to anybody else? any ideas what i should have mechanic look for? it's a 2001, has 57,000 miles on it - could it be a head gasket?
chrysler of course was no help.
Please help....i'm at my wicks end with this car!!!!
Thanks

[CREWZIN]

I see you joined the other thread about Overheating. Hope you get it fixed. If after checking everything you only went 15 miles before loosing all the water and a quart of oil, sorry to say but you have a major leak/problem and could very well be the head gasket or worse....warped head itself.

[racing8girl]

so basically - i'm screwed either way out of big bucks....
what's the lesser of the 2 i'm praying for?
thanks for responding

[CREWZIN]

Lesser of the two would be the head gasket. Mostly it's just labor to get at it and change the gasket. Lets hope it's that or something else minor. Let us know what they find out. Good luck.

[bobs turbo pt]

i would say head gasket also , you did have any smoke or smells for that 15 miles ??