One person was injured and residents were left homeless after a fire engulfed the rear of a house and caused major damage in Lake in the Hills Thursday afternoon.

The Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 2:27 p.m. Thursday to the 2600 block of Waterford Lane in Lake in the Hills after receiving 911 calls reporting a house on fire.

Huntley Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Eric Bentley said firefighters arrived to find heavy fire conditions at the rear of the home.

The fire was extending into the attic of the single-family, two-story residence.

The incident was upgraded to a Working Fire response due to the volume of fire and the need for additional fire personnel, Bentley said.

Firefighters immediately initiated a fire attack by deploying hose lines from the first-arriving engine.

Fire crews entered the home to extinguish the fire while additional firefighters worked from the exterior.

Firefighters also protected a neighboring residence after the intense heat from the fire caused damage to its siding, Bentley said.

Firefighters extinguished the bulk of the exterior fire within approximately 15 minutes.

Bentley said the fire continued to spread through concealed attic spaces and into an upstairs bedroom, eventually extending through the roof.

Fire crews brought the fire under control in approximately 60 minutes with the assistance of additional firefighters.

Firefighters remained on the scene extinguishing hotspots and addressing flare-ups before investigators were able to safely enter the structure.

Two residents and their dog were home at the time of the fire and escaped prior to the fire department’s arrival, Bentley said.

A homeowner was evaluated by paramedics at the scene for a minor injury.

The home sustained heavy fire and water damage and has been deemed uninhabitable.

Bentley said the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Huntley Fire Protection District.

The fire district thanked the numerous agencies that assisted at the scene and provided station coverage during the incident.

“We would also like to recognize the Lake in the Hills Police Department and the SEECOM 9-1-1 Telecommunicators for their assistance and support throughout the response,” the district said.

“Their combined efforts ensured adequate resources were available to safely mitigate the emergency while maintaining emergency response coverage for the Huntley community,” they added.

A male driver and a female driver are both dead after they were involved in a head-on crash that caused significant damage near Huntley Thursday evening, fire officials said.

The Huntley Fire Protection District and Kane County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:28 p.m. Thursday to the area of Sandwald Road and Big Timber Road in unincorporated Huntley for a report of a vehicle crash.

Huntley Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Eric Bentley said multiple 911 calls were received reporting a two-vehicle crash with injuries.

911 callers reported people were still inside the vehicles and the airbags had deployed.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived first and reported that two victims were unresponsive and unknown entrapment.

Bentley said fire crews arrived to find both vehicles with significant front-end damage in the roadway just west of the intersection.

Firefighters were able to access both drivers without the need for extrication.

The drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles, Bentley said.

Both were confirmed unconscious and not breathing with paramedics providing lifesaving measures, according to fire department radio traffic.

A medical helicopter was initially requested to respond to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital but was later canceled.

Bentley said an adult male driver was pronounced dead at the scene and an adult female driver was transported to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital where she later died from her injuries.

The identities of both victims have not been released as of Friday. Big Timber Road was shut down for several hours for an investigation.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause and circumstances of the crash.

Multiple water tenders were called and firefighters from four departments spent over an hour battling a stubborn waste fire near the Thunder Hawk Golf Club in Beach Park last Friday.

The Beach Park Fire Department and Lake County Forest Preserves Ranger Police responded around 4:20 p.m. Friday to the area of West 33rd Street and McAree Road in Beach Park for a report of smoke in the area.

Firefighters arrived and found a large yard waste fire that was unattended next to a maintenance facility for the ThunderHawk Golf Club in the 12000 block of West 33rd Street.

The ThunderHawk Golf Club is one of three public golf courses owned and managed by the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The fire was on property owned by the forest preserves and golf club, tax records show.

The area does not have fire hydrants, prompting three water tenders each from the Beach Park, Newport Township and Antioch fire departments to respond.

Two fire engines from the Beach Park and Zion fire departments also responded.

Crews spent over an hour battling the stubborn waste fire.

At least two hose lines and a water cannon mounted on the top of a fire engine, called a “deck gun,” were used to fight the blaze.

Staff from the golf club brought in heavy equipment, like a compact track loader, to help move debris and expose the fire.

Lake County sheriff’s deputies and forest preserve ranger police officers shut down West 33rd Street between McAree Road and Green Bay Road while firefighters worked the scene.

The fire was extinguished at around 5:40 p.m., and the roadway was reopened a short time later.

No injuries were reported, and no structures were involved.

Funeral services are being held Thursday evening for a “devoted” Waukegan mother who died when a drunk driver crashed into a semi-truck on I-94 near Gurnee, as her family says she “left a lasting impression on everyone.”

The Gurnee Fire Department, Libertyville Fire Department and Illinois State Police responded around 5:07 a.m. Saturday to Interstate 94 between Route 120 and O’Plaine Road near Gurnee for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.

911 caller(s) reported a car was sideways in lanes 1 and 2 with a victim inside that had a possible broken neck, according to police radio traffic.

The car, a Mazda SUV, was heavily damaged and the second vehicle involved, a semi-tractor-trailer truck, was pulled off onto the right shoulder.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said Priscilla M. Martinez, 29, of Gurnee, was identified as the driver of the Mazda and called 911 to report she had hit a truck and her friend had a broken neck.

State police and family on Monday identified the passenger victim as Maria Conchita Perez, 35, of Waukegan.

Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Steffens said the crash involved the two vehicles and the Mazda sustained heavy damage.

The crash occurred in the westbound lanes of Interstate 94 at the 11.75-mile marker.

Paramedics found Martinez and Perez in the Mazda and one adult male in the semi-truck. None of the victims required extrication.

Perez, who was the passenger, suffered life-threatening injuries and was unconscious at the scene, Steffens said.

Perez was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she was pronounced dead, Steffens and Illinois State Police said.

An obituary for Perez said she was a “devoted” and “loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose beautiful spirit touched the lives of so many.”

“Maria was known for her kind heart, fun spirit, and the way she could light up every room she walked into. Her smile was unforgettable, her laughter contagious, and her love for others endless. She had a special gift for making people feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated,” her obituary said.

Martinez had no serious complaints regarding injuries but was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for evaluation.

The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured and signed a medical release at the scene declining transport to the hospital.

Illinois State Police said lanes 1, 2 and 3 remained shut down for the investigation for hours until being reopened around 10:45 a.m.

Troopers noted that the Mazda had extensive damage to the front end and the semi-truck had damage to the rear, Katris said.

Martinez told troopers she had three drinks at a bar in Chicago and they were traveling back to Lake County when she struck the rear of the semi-truck. State police said the Mazda was traveling in the right lane at the time.

Martinez had referenced looking at her phone when the crash occurred and said she was traveling 70-80 mph when she hit the truck, Katris said.

Martinez had a breath alcohol concentration of 0.146 when providing a breath sample, Katris said.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the hospital to take possession of Perez for an autopsy.

Waukegan resident Frankie Rosa said Perez was a “beautiful mother, a loving daughter, an amazing friend, and someone who brought light and laughter everywhere she went.”

“She had a kind heart, an outgoing spirit, and a way of making everyone around her feel loved and welcomed. Her smile, energy, and caring soul touched so many lives,” Rosa said.

Perez leaves behind a 17-year-old boy, who faces a life without his mother, her friends and family said.

“Whether you knew her for years or only briefly, Maria left a lasting impression on everyone she met,” her obituary said, adding that her son was the center of her world and greatest pride.

Perez was the front desk manager at Tricoci Salon and Spa in Vernon Hills, one of her co-workers said.

She was also a pop-up coordinator for Community Outreach Waukegan, the group’s founder, Miguel A. Rivera Sr., said.

A GoFundMe account has raised over $10,500 with a $12,000 goal by 160 donors for the family’s unexpected funeral expenses.

“Maria had countless friends who became family throughout her life. She truly lived life to the fullest — as many would lovingly say, ‘She was everywhere menos en su casa.’ Her energy, adventurous spirit, and love for enjoying every moment made her unforgettable to everyone around her,” her obituary said.

Martinez was charged with aggravated driving under the influence causing death, driving under the influence of alcohol, improper traffic lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and aggravated using a communication device resulting in death.

Martinez was arrested by ISP special agents after being released from the hospital and was transported to the Lake County Jail.

She appeared in First Appearance Court on Sunday morning.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Martinez pending trial and Lake County Judge Patricia Cornell ordered her held until a detention hearing, which she scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

During the detention hearing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Windmoeller said Martinez admitted to driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit, which is 65 mph in that section.

Martinez has a background of reckless driving, including speeding, Windmoeller said, adding that she had four convictions for driving offenses in one year.

Defense attorney Jed Stone, who is representing Martinez, argued for his client’s release pending trial and said there was a combination of conditions that could mitigate any danger she poses.

Stone said Martinez has a 5-year-old daughter and lives at home with her parents.

He argued that Martinez should be released so she can see a counselor to deal with the drinking and with taking the life of another person. “She feels that,” Stone said.

Windmoeller responded by saying that Perez was also a mother whose child no longer has a mother.

Lake County Judge James Newman said called it a “tragic situation” but told Martinez it occurred because of her actions.

The judge said the situation was compounded by speeding, drinking and being distracted on the cell phone. “Millions of decisions that night caused your friend to no longer be with us,” Newman said, adding that many people’s lives changed after the crash.

Newman denied the state’s petition to detain Martinez, saying that he struggled with the ruling because she does not have prior DUIs on her record but that he believed conditions could mitigate the threat she poses.

Martinez was placed on Level 4 pre-trial supervision, which includes no alcohol or drugs, and ordered to be fitted with an alcohol monitoring device. She was also ordered to abide by a curfew and not to drive.

Funeral services are being held Thursday evening for Perez, with a visitation taking place from 4-9 p.m. at The Memorial Chapel of Waukegan.

She is scheduled to appear in court again on June 25 for a preliminary hearing.

A firefighter and a resident were injured and multiple pets were rescued after a fire broke out at a house in Round Lake Beach, leaving five occupants displaced Wednesday evening.

The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Round Lake Beach Police Department and automatic aid fire departments responded around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 1100 block of Hillwood Circle for a report of a structure fire.

The first fire unit arrived within five minutes and found smoke and fire coming from a one-story single-family house, Greater Round Lake Battalion Fire Chief Charley Mitchell said.

According to fire department radio traffic, multiple people were running in and out of the house when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters deployed a hose line and entered the home.

A supply hose line was connected to a fire hydrant directly next to the driveway.

Crews brought the fire under control within around 15 minutes and searched the home, Mitchell said.

Three dogs and several birds were rescued.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury to their hand and was evaluated by paramedics at the scene.

A resident was also evaluated.

Neither was transported to the hospital, and both were released from the scene.

A Lake & McHenry County Scanner reporter saw around 15 people standing on the driveway of the home.

It is unclear how exactly the group was related to the residents.

Firefighters remained on scene to conduct overhaul and salvage operations, Mitchell said.

They also helped the residents recover some belongings.

A field employee with Nicor Gas responded and tended to the natural gas utilities at the home, which was deemed uninhabitable.

Five residents were displaced from the home, Mitchell said at the scene.

Mitchell thanked the Grayslake, Fox Lake and Wauconda fire districts for assisting at the scene.

It is currently unclear how the fire started.

The incident remains under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District.

“All area residents are reminded to check their smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning,” Mitchell said.

Those in the Greater Round Lake area who need assistance checking their detectors or replacing missing detectors can call the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District at 847-546-6001.

Health officials said that a resident was exposed to a bat, which tested positive for rabies, that was found in a house in McHenry County, the first rabid bat discovery in the county this year.

The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) announced Thursday that a bat was found by a resident inside a home in McHenry County but did not specify where exactly in the county.

McHenry County Animal Control responded, collected the bat and submitted it for laboratory testing.

The testing showed the bat was positive for rabies, which is the first rabid bat of the 2026 season in the county.

MCDH said the resident was exposed to the bat so rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, also referred to as PEP, was recommended.

“The MCDH is sharing this information for educational purposes to remind residents how to prevent exposure and what to do if they encounter a bat,” the department said.

MCDH said that rabies in Illinois is primarily contracted from bats. It is typically not contagious from person to person.

The rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with saliva or brain and nervous system tissue from an infected animal.

Rabies can be fatal in humans if left untreated but not all bats have rabies.

The MCDH recommends that residents who find a bat in their home contain it in a room by closing the door and sealing any gaps at the base with a towel.

If the bat is in a main living area, a bucket should be placed over the bat to contain it.

The MCDH Animal Control should be notified by calling 815-459-6222 to arrange for the bat’s collection and potential testing following an exposure risk assessment by the health department’s Communicable Disease Program

Health officials said that it is important that the animal is alive or recently deceased with the head intact for reliable rabies testing.

Those who are exposed to a rabid animal will need to be administered PEP, a four-series treatment that includes immunoglobulins and vaccine, as soon as possible after the exposure, the MCDH said.

Many types of bats have small teeth, which may leave marks that disappear quickly.

Bats, which play an “important role” in the northern Illinois ecosystem, become more active during the warmer months from late spring through summer.

A single bat can consume hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes and other insects each night, making them effective natural pest controllers.

Bats roosting outdoors in trees, barns or bat houses are behaving normally and should be left undisturbed.

Bats that are active during the day, found in unusual locations such as inside homes or unable to fly, may be sick and should be treated as a potential risk.

To minimize bats getting into homes, the health department said that doors, windows and vents should have screens and be securely framed. Chimneys should be capped and gaps around utility lines should be plugged.

Residents should not touch, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter, the health department said.

Police say an Antioch man tried running over his brother with a pickup truck while the two argued in a parking lot near the former Piggly Wiggly in Antioch Tuesday afternoon.

The Antioch Police Department responded around 2:10 p.m. Tuesday to the area of the former Piggly Wiggly, 460 Orchard Street, for a report of a disturbance in a nearby parking lot.

Antioch Police Department Public Information Officer Jared Brussaly said the victim reported that his brother, George Stachura, 60, of Antioch, had attempted to strike him with a Dodge pickup truck before fleeing the area.

The victim told police that Stachura had become upset with him and attempted to run him over with the truck, Brussaly said.

The victim, who was able to move out of the way of the truck without being struck, was not injured during the incident.

Brussaly said the incident occurred just east of the old Piggly Wiggly in a large parking lot shared by numerous businesses and part of a municipal lot.

Officers interviewed two additional witnesses during the investigation, Brussaly said.

One witness also provided officers with cell phone video footage capturing a portion of the event.

Brussaly said Antioch police officers located Stachura a few hours later and took him into custody without incident.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed and the case and approved charges against Stachura of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, a Class 4 felony.

Stachura faces one to three years in prison but could be sentenced to probation if convicted.

Brussaly said the argument was over a long-standing family dispute between the brothers.

He was transported to the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on Wednesday for a First Appearance Court hearing.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Stachura pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to the victim and community.

Stachura remains held in the Lake County Jail while awaiting a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

A judge released a Waukegan alderman pending trial after her arrest and felony charge for allegedly using her dead mother’s ballot to cast a vote in the General Primary Election in Lake County.

Sylvia Sims Bolton, 67, of Waukegan, was charged with one count of mutilation of election material, a Class 4 felony, and one count of disregarding election code, a Class A misdemeanor.

Bolton is an elected alderman of Waukegan’s 1st Ward.

She surrendered on Wednesday morning to the Lake County Jail and appeared in First Appearance Court on Wednesday morning.

Lake County Judge Randie Bruno released Bolton from custody on pre-trial conditions as the offenses are non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act.

Bolton, who is being represented by defense attorney Elliot Pinsel, was placed on Level 1 pre-trial services monitoring.

An investigation began into Bolton in March after the Lake County Clerk’s Office identified and flagged a vote-by-mail ballot that was associated with a deceased voter during its post-election review process.

A vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was issued and mailed by the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 5, the first day ballots could legally be mailed for the General Primary Election, according to election records.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office processed the cancellation of Mary Sim’s voter registration on February 12 after receiving notification of the voter’s death record from the Illinois Department of Public Health through the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration system.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said a completed vote-by-mail ballot envelope was returned through the secure exterior drop box located outside the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 26.

The vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was flagged as voided and segregated from valid vote-by-mail ballots after being run through the intake process.

Election staff conducted their standard post-election review and verification process for challenged and voided ballot envelopes to ensure all valid ballots were properly processed and counted following the March 17 General Primary Election, prosecutors said.

All ballot envelopes are reviewed through automated systems designed to identify irregularities and flag ballots requiring additional review.

Ballots may be rejected or separated for further examination if they are determined to be overweight, underweight, submitted for a different election, unreadable due to barcode issues, previously rejected or associated with a cancelled voter registration record.

Election officials identified that the voter’s death record had been processed prior to the return of the ballot during their review on March 27, prosecutors said.

The matter was escalated internally and reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for investigation after evaluating the returned envelope and confirming that the ballot had been submitted after the voter’s recorded date of death.

“The safeguards and verification procedures in place within our election system worked exactly as intended,” Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said.

“Our staff followed established protocols, identified the irregularity, and immediately coordinated with law enforcement to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated. Protecting the integrity of our elections remains our highest priority,” Vega said.

A detective from the sheriff’s office responded to the Lake County Clerk’s Office to review the ballot materials later that day.

Prosecutors said a sheriff’s detective confirmed that the returned vote-by-mail ballot envelope contained a marked ballot and detectives obtained statements from the clerk’s office staff and collected evidence as part of their investigation.

The investigation showed Bolton received a vote-by-mail ballot for her mother, Mary Sims, after she died, prosecutors said.

Bolton filled out the ballot and signed Sims’ name to the ballot, knowing it was not possible for her to vote in the election, prosecutors said.

Bolton then allegedly submitted the ballot to an official clerk’s office ballot drop box.

“Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is something the public rightfully expects from all of us in government. This case is an example of the strong collaboration between the Lake County Clerk’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to thoroughly review allegations, follow the facts, and ensure our election laws are upheld fairly and impartially,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.

The investigation was reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, which filed charges on May 19.

Bolton is scheduled to appear in court again on July 2 for a status of preliminary hearing.

“I want to thank Clerk Vega for his work in maintaining election integrity and the Sheriff’s Office for conducting a thorough investigation that brought all the facts to our office. While Lake County’s internal protocols and automated systems are effective, any attempt at voter fraud undermines democracy and must be prosecuted,” Lake County State’s Attorney Rinehart said.

The investigation did not uncover any facts linking the allegations against Bolton to her city duties, the state’s attorney’s office said. She has not been charged with official misconduct.

County officials say they are unaware of any previous investigations related to individuals using the vote-by-mail system to vote on behalf of deceased people in Lake County.

A father says his 14-year-old son has been released from the hospital but has a “long road ahead” after a tree fell onto the boy and his friends, leaving the teen seriously injured in Lakewood.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Lakewood Police Department responded around 9:17 p.m. Saturday to the 7300 block of Gleneagle Circle in Lakewood for a traumatic injury.

Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department Battalion Chief Brian Tamason said multiple juveniles suffered traumatic injuries after a tree fell on them.

Fire department radio traffic indicated a 14-year-old child suffered a severe injury and one of the victims was possibly briefly unconscious.

Tamason said a LifeNet medical helicopter was placed on standby while fire crews were responding and eventually requested to respond.

Additional fire department crews were also requested to respond to the scene.

Tamason said incident command was established at the scene and paramedics found a total of three victims.

Todd Caporaso told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that he was inside his home when he heard screaming and ran outside.

Caporaso said his 14-year-old son, Carter, and other boys were on a hammock that was attached between two trees when one of the trees fell onto the kids.

Caporaso said he lifted the tree off the kids but the incident happened “so fast.”

Carter suffered a skull fracture and two fractures in his pelvis.

The LifeNet helicopter landed at Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Huntley where an ambulance transported Carter and transferred him to the flight crew.

The helicopter flew Carter to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, which has a pediatric trauma center.

Tamason said the child was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

The two other children were treated at the scene by paramedics and did not require transport to the hospital.

Caporaso said Tuesday that Carter was awake and talking and doing “so much better” but still concussed. “Not laughing at my jokes so I think he is getting back to normal.”

Carter was released from the hospital’s intensive care unit on Wednesday and is back home. “Long road ahead filled with physical therapy,” Caporaso said.

A driver was left with critical, life-threatening injuries and was flown to the hospital after he was ejected from a car that rolled over near Huntley Wednesday afternoon.

The Huntley Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:57 p.m. Wednesday to the area of Route 47 and Foster Road in unincorporated Huntley for a report of a crash with possible injuries.

Huntley Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said fire crews arrived approximately eight minutes later and found a single-vehicle crash.

The crash was approximately one-half mile east of Route 47 on Foster Road.

Firefighters reported finding a heavily damaged Jeep overturned on its side.

Vucha said the adult male driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was located in the roadway near the vehicle.

He was believed to have been ejected from the car during the crash.

Paramedics immediately began initial assessments and treatment of the victim, Vucha said.

A LifeNet medical helicopter was requested to respond to the Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital helipad due to the severity of the injuries.

Vucha said the man was transported by ambulance to the hospital where care was transferred to the flight crew.

The helicopter flew the man to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical, life-threatening injuries.

Foster Road remained completely closed from Route 47 to Conley Road into Wednesday evening as emergency crews operated at the scene and investigators processed the crash site.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

Police arrested a 61-year-old man who allegedly tried soliciting two children, whom he did not know, for sex while they were walking in McHenry, authorities said.

Michael A. Novak, 61, of McHenry, was charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child with the intent to commit criminal sexual assault, a Class 2 felony.

McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Ashley O’Herron said Novak approached two children in the area of Elm Street and Front Street in McHenry.

The two teenagers, who were under the age of 18, reported they were walking in the area at the time.

The victims did not know Novak, who made “inappropriate propositions” to them, O’Herron said.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Novak asked both juveniles if he could perform a sex act on them, despite knowing they were underage.

The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Novak eventually left the juveniles alone.

One of the juveniles walked by the McHenry Township Fire Protection District station nearby and stopped to talk with a firefighter outside, O’Herron said.

O’Herron said Novak continued on his way after the child sought help and the juvenile’s parents met with the child at the fire station.

Novak was later identified through video surveillance from a nearby business and taken into custody by the McHenry Police Department.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Novak pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to the community.

McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis granted the request during an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday.

Novak remains held in the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday for a status of preliminary hearing.

A semi-truck hit low-hanging wires from a leaning utility pole on Route 12 in Fox Lake Tuesday afternoon, causing the road to be shut down and power to go out in the area while crews made repairs.

The Fox Lake Police Department and Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded around 1:10 p.m. Tuesday to Route 12 south of Sayton Road in Fox Lake for a report of downed wires.

Police officers and firefighters arrived to find a leaning utility pole with live wires down across all lanes of Route 12 near the Toyota of Fox Lake dealership.

Fox Lake Police Chief Dawn DeServi said that ongoing construction at 91 Route 12, a property adjacent to the Toyota dealership, reportedly caused the pole to lean towards the roadway and lower the wires over Route 12.

Witnesses reported that a semi-truck traveling northbound on Route 12 struck the wires, causing the pole to lean further and the wires to fall onto the road.

The semi-truck did not stop and continued traveling northbound on Route 12, DeServi said.

The driver was likely unaware that their truck hit the wires, according to the witnesses. The semi-truck has not been identified.

The police shut down all lanes of Route 12 between Sayton Road and Frontage Road while field employees with ComEd responded to the scene.

Firefighters remained on scene until ComEd arrived.

Power was temporarily shut off in the area while multiple ComEd field employees conducted repair operations.

At around 2:15 p.m., a man in a sedan pulled out of one of the nearby shopping centers and traveled southbound on Route 12, appearing to either be unaware or not caring about the downed wires and ongoing repairs.

The man then slowly drove under the wires, despite ComEd employees and a police officer yelling at him, a Lake & McHenry County Scanner reporter at the scene witnessed.

The man continued traveling southbound on Route 12.

Crews were seen using boom lifts and a specialized claw to straighten the pole and clear the wires from the road.

Repairs were completed, power was restored and all lanes of Route 12 were reopened at around 3 p.m.

Traffic was heavily congested on Frontage Road and Sayton Road while road closures were in effect.

No injuries were reported, DeServi said.

Prosecutors say a man launched a “vicious” unprovoked attack on employees at a motel in Gurnee where he struck one in the head with a baseball bat and punched a second after becoming upset over cleaning supplies.

Cameron R. Scott, 35, of Gurnee, was charged with battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony.

The Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee Fire Department responded around 10:55 a.m. Tuesday to the Gurnee Motel, formerly the FairBridge Inn Express, located at 3740 Grand Avenue, for a report of a disturbance involving multiple people.

Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said that staff at the business called 911 after Scott, who was a patron, was involved in a verbal dispute with one of the employees.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Hillary Price Cohen said Scott is a long-term guest at the motel and had been staying there for approximately three weeks.

He had told staff that he did not want anyone to come in and clean his room and usually asks for cleaning supplies to clean his own room, Price Cohen said.

Price Cohen said the argument with the employee was over Scott becoming unhappy with the smell or amount of cleaning supplies that he was given.

“During the incident, Scott went behind the counter and entered a restricted area of the business, where the argument continued,” Gaylor said.

“As the clerk attempted to retrieve a baseball bat from beneath the counter, Scott struck her in the head with his fist,” Gaylor added.

Scott struck the woman in the head so hard that she was knocked back and suffered ringing in her ears moments after she had said she was going to call his father, who pays his motel bill, Price Cohen said.

The man also allegedly called the victim a slur before the attack.

Scott took the metal baseball bat but the woman was able to take it back and strike Scott in the ribcage with it, Price Cohen said.

Additional employees responded after hearing the disturbance.

Scott allegedly charged at the other employees and struck a hotel manager in the back of the head with the bat.

His head split open and blood went everywhere, Price Cohen said. A struggle ensued over the bat and Scott struck the manager in the front of his body with the bat, Price Cohen said.

Another employee tried to stop Scott from striking the manager again with the bat. All three went to the ground as Scott continued swinging the bat and the employees tried to stop him, Price Cohen said.

It took three employees to restrain Scott on the ground until Gurnee police officers arrived.

The officers arrived and saw several people in the parking lot who were holding Scott on the ground.

A total of four ambulances from the Gurnee Fire Department, along with a fire engine and the shift commander, responded to the scene, Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief Tim Steffens said.

Firefighter/paramedics took three employees to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville to be evaluated for their injuries.

“Scott was also transported to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained during the incident,” Gaylor said.

Steffens said all four sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Price Cohen said the manager who was attacked with the bat suffered a large laceration to the head.

A fifth person was evaluated by paramedics but refused to be transported to the hospital.

Crime scene tape was set up at a portion of the parking lot by the front doors of the motel.

Blood was seen on the ground of several portions of the crime scene.

A blood-soaked towel, G-Shock watch and face mask were left behind.

Officers were seen taking photos and processing evidence both inside and outside the motel.

Scott appeared at the Lake County Courthouse for a First Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday morning and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.

Price Cohen said the “vicious attack” was unprovoked and was caught on video surveillance.

A detention hearing was held on Wednesday afternoon. Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Savannah Halcomb said during the hearing that Scott has “clear issues” in containing his anger.

Scott interrupted court proceedings during both hearings and had to be repeatedly told by judges not to interject.

A public defender for Scott argued for his release and said that the worker struck Scott first with the bat and that Scott felt like he was the victim.

The attorney acknowledged that Scott has serious mental health issues and the incident possibly was the result of a medication issue.

Lake County Judge James Newman granted the petition to detain Scott after saying the defendant was not going to follow any conditions he might impose on him if he were to be released.

Scott remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 24 for a preliminary hearing.

A truck crashed into a building in downtown Barrington and fled the scene and then a police officer was involved in a crash responding to the call, officials said.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded last Wednesday to assist the Barrington Police Department following a crash involving one of their squad cars.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said the crash occurred around 8:55 a.m. at Route 14 and Lake Cook Road in Barrington.

An officer with the Barrington Police Department was operating an unmarked 2023 Dodge Charger.

The squad was traveling southeast on Route 14 just northwest of the Lake Cook Road intersection in the outside lane of traffic.

The police officer received an emergency call for service and activated the squad’s emergency lights, Covelli said.

Covelli said the officer began making a U-turn but struck a southeast 2012 Toyota Camry, driven by a 20-year-old Cary woman, who was traveling in the inside lane of traffic.

Nobody was injured in the crash but the squad required a tow truck to be removed from the scene.

No citations were issued to either driver since no injuries were reported, Covelli said.

Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said the officer involved in the crash was responding to a truck that struck the building at Long & Company Jewelers, 105 East Main Street in Barrington.

The truck fled the scene after damaging the building. It was not immediately clear whether the driver was caught.

A Waukegan alderman has been arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly using her dead mother’s ballot to cast a vote in the General Primary Election in Lake County.

Sylvia Sims Bolton, 67, of Waukegan, was charged with one count of mutilation of election material, a Class 4 felony, and one count of disregarding election code, a Class A misdemeanor.

Bolton is an elected alderman of Waukegan’s 1st Ward.

An investigation began into Bolton in March after the Lake County Clerk’s Office identified and flagged a vote-by-mail ballot that was associated with a deceased voter during its post-election review process.

A vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was issued and mailed by the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 5, the first day ballots could legally be mailed for the General Primary Election, according to election records.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office processed the cancellation of Mary Sim’s voter registration on February 12 after receiving notification of the voter’s death record from the Illinois Department of Public Health through the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration system.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said a completed vote-by-mail ballot envelope was returned through the secure exterior drop box located outside the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 26.

The vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was flagged as voided and segregated from valid vote-by-mail ballots after being run through the intake process.

Election staff conducted their standard post-election review and verification process for challenged and voided ballot envelopes to ensure all valid ballots were properly processed and counted following the March 17 General Primary Election, prosecutors said.

All ballot envelopes are reviewed through automated systems designed to identify irregularities and flag ballots requiring additional review.

Ballots may be rejected or separated for further examination if they are determined to be overweight, underweight, submitted for a different election, unreadable due to barcode issues, previously rejected or associated with a cancelled voter registration record.

Election officials identified that the voter’s death record had been processed prior to the return of the ballot during their review on March 27, prosecutors said.

The matter was escalated internally and reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for investigation after evaluating the returned envelope and confirming that the ballot had been submitted after the voter’s recorded date of death.

“The safeguards and verification procedures in place within our election system worked exactly as intended,” Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said.

“Our staff followed established protocols, identified the irregularity, and immediately coordinated with law enforcement to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated. Protecting the integrity of our elections remains our highest priority,” Vega said.

A detective from the sheriff’s office responded to the Lake County Clerk’s Office to review the ballot materials later that day.

Prosecutors said a sheriff’s detective confirmed that the returned vote-by-mail ballot envelope contained a marked ballot and detectives obtained statements from the clerk’s office staff and collected evidence as part of their investigation.

The investigation showed Bolton received a vote-by-mail ballot for her mother, Mary Sims, after she died, prosecutors said.

Bolton filled out the ballot and signed Sims’ name to the ballot, knowing it was not possible for her to vote in the election, prosecutors said.

Bolton then allegedly submitted the ballot to an official clerk’s office ballot drop box.

“Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is something the public rightfully expects from all of us in government. This case is an example of the strong collaboration between the Lake County Clerk’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to thoroughly review allegations, follow the facts, and ensure our election laws are upheld fairly and impartially,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.

The investigation was reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, which filed charges on May 19.

Bolton surrendered Wednesday morning to the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in First Appearance Court on Wednesday morning.

“I want to thank Clerk Vega for his work in maintaining election integrity and the Sheriff’s Office for conducting a thorough investigation that brought all the facts to our office. While Lake County’s internal protocols and automated systems are effective, any attempt at voter fraud undermines democracy and must be prosecuted,” Lake County State’s Attorney Rinehart said.

The investigation did not uncover any facts linking the allegations against Bolton to her city duties, the state’s attorney’s office said. She has not been charged with official misconduct.

County officials say they are unaware of any previous investigations related to individuals using the vote-by-mail system to vote on behalf of deceased people in Lake County.

Authorities say a Mundelein man physically battered a woman, leading to security intervening, before becoming combative with responding police officers at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.

Jesus Abrego, 24, of Mundelein, was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, two counts of domestic battery, resisting a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said Abrego and his wife were at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway in Gurnee, on Friday.

The woman began complaining about Abrego and he then reportedly began accusing the victim of cheating on him.

Security personnel called the Gurnee Police Department after seeing Abrego pushing and pulling the victim by the shirt, with her appearing in distress, Katris said.

Abrego shoved the woman to the ground and security intervened and yelled at Abrego while separating the two, Katris said.

She had a scrape on her elbow from being pushed to the ground.

The victim told officers that she had experienced domestic violence previously and it usually happens when Abrego is drinking, Katris said.

Abrego became “extremely combative” when police became involved and he kicked an officer’s leg, Katris said.

Officers arrested him and tried to place him into a squad car but he allegedly began kicking a light pole in an attempt to avoid being put in the car.

Abrego continued to be belligerent in the booking room, tearing up papers and screaming “nonsense,” Katris said.

Abrego told officers after his arrest that the victim did not hit him and that he had no injuries, Katris said.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Abrego pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to his wife.

Lake County Judge Patricia Cornell ordered Abrego held in the Lake County Jail until a detention hearing, which was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Defense attorney Vanessa Sheehan, who is representing Abrego, argued for her client’s release while saying he does not have a criminal background and the victim has since moved out of his home.

Lake County Judge James Newman said that he was troubled by the allegations and said that what occurred happened in front of thousands and thousands of people at the biggest tourist attraction in Lake County.

“What’s happening when there’s not thousands and thousands of people around?” Newman asked, before noting the prior unreported domestic abuse involving the victim.

The judge said Abrego’s conduct with the police was “abysmal” but denied the petition to detain and said he believed there were conditions that could mitigate the threat Abrego poses.

Abrego was placed on Level 4 pre-trial services monitoring, ordered to be equipped with an alcohol monitoring device, have no contact with the victim and not possess weapons.

Abrego is scheduled to appear in court again on June 25 for a preliminary hearing.

One person was transported to the hospital and the roadway was shut down after a truck slammed into a pole, leaving it severed and leaning over in Woodstock Tuesday evening.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to the area of Washington Street and Mary Ann Street for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said fire crews arrived to find a single-vehicle crash involving a Chevrolet pickup truck.

The pickup truck appeared to have been traveling eastbound on Washington Street when it veered off the road and struck a utility pole head-on.

Firefighters reported the vehicle sustained heavy damage and the utility pole was damaged.

Vucha said the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.

Washington Street was shut down in both directions from Mary Ann Street to Elm Lane while emergency crews and utility personnel worked on the scene due to the extent of the damage to the utility pole.

The roadway was expected to be shut down for an extended time as ComEd responded to repair the pole, which was severed, Vucha said. The pole was leaning over.

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes,” the fire district said.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Woodstock Police Department.

A man allegedly went behind the counter during a dispute with employees at a Gurnee motel and beat multiple workers with a baseball bat, sending them to the hospital Tuesday morning.

Cameron R. Scott, 35, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery.

The Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee Fire Department responded around 10:55 a.m. Tuesday to the Gurnee Motel, formerly the FairBridge Inn Express, located at 3740 Grand Avenue, for a report of a disturbance involving multiple people.

Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said that staff at the business called 911 after Scott, who was a patron, was involved in a verbal dispute with one of the employees.

“During the incident, Scott went behind the counter and entered a restricted area of the business, where the argument continued,” Gaylor said.

“As the clerk attempted to retrieve a baseball bat from beneath the counter, Scott struck her in the head with his fist,” Gaylor added.

Scott then allegedly took the metal baseball bat and used it to strike the female employee.

Additional employees responded after hearing the disturbance.

Scott allegedly charged at the other employees and began hitting them with the bat.

“During the altercation, one male employee was struck in the head with the bat,” Gaylor said.

Employees were able to restrain Scott until Gurnee police officers arrived.

The officers saw several people in the parking lot who were holding Scott on the ground.

Scott was in possession of the bat when officers arrived, Gaylor said.

A total of four ambulances from the Gurnee Fire Department, along with a fire engine and the shift commander, responded to the scene, Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief Tim Steffens said.

Firefighter/paramedics took three employees to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville to be evaluated for their injuries.

“Scott was also transported to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained during the incident,” Gaylor said.

Steffens said all four sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A fifth person was evaluated by paramedics but refused to be transported to the hospital.

Crime scene tape was set up at a portion of the parking lot by the front doors of the motel.

Blood was seen on the ground of several portions of the crime scene.

A blood-soaked towel, G-Shock watch and face mask were left behind.

Officers were seen taking photos and processing evidence both inside and outside the motel.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved the two counts of aggravated battery against Scott.

A booking photo for Scott was not immediately available because he had not yet been booked into the Lake County Jail as of early Tuesday evening.

He is expected to appear at the Lake County Courthouse for his First Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday morning.

The incident remains under investigation by the Gurnee Police Department.

A judge released a driver accused of speeding, using her phone and driving drunk when she slammed into a semi-truck, leaving her Waukegan friend, who was a mother, dead on I-94 near Gurnee.

The Gurnee Fire Department, Libertyville Fire Department and Illinois State Police responded around 5:07 a.m. Saturday to Interstate 94 between Route 120 and O’Plaine Road near Gurnee for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.

911 caller(s) reported a car was sideways in lanes 1 and 2 with a victim inside that had a possible broken neck, according to police radio traffic.

The car, a Mazda SUV, was heavily damaged and the second vehicle involved, a semi-tractor-trailer truck, was pulled off onto the right shoulder.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said Priscilla M. Martinez, 29, of Gurnee, was identified as the driver of the Mazda and called 911 to report she had hit a truck and her friend had a broken neck.

State police and family on Monday identified the passenger victim as Maria Conchita Perez, 35, of Waukegan.

Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Steffens said the crash involved the two vehicles and the Mazda sustained heavy damage.

The crash occurred in the westbound lanes of Interstate 94 at the 11.75-mile marker.

Paramedics found Martinez and Perez in the Mazda and one adult male in the semi-truck. None of the victims required extrication.

Perez, who was the passenger, suffered life-threatening injuries and was unconscious at the scene, Steffens said.

Perez was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she was pronounced dead, Steffens and Illinois State Police said.

Martinez had no serious complaints regarding injuries but was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for evaluation.

The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured and signed a medical release at the scene declining transport to the hospital.

Illinois State Police said lanes 1, 2 and 3 remained shut down for the investigation for hours until being reopened around 10:45 a.m.

Troopers noted that the Mazda had extensive damage to the front end and the semi-truck had damage to the rear, Katris said.

Martinez told troopers she had three drinks at a bar in Chicago and they were traveling back to Lake County when she struck the rear of the semi-truck. State police said the Mazda was traveling in the right lane at the time.

Martinez had referenced looking at her phone when the crash occurred and said she was traveling 70-80 mph when she hit the truck, Katris said.

Martinez had a breath alcohol concentration of 0.146 when providing a breath sample, Katris said.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the hospital to take possession of the deceased victim for an autopsy, which is expected to be performed on Tuesday.

Waukegan resident Frankie Rosa said Perez was a “beautiful mother, a loving daughter, an amazing friend, and someone who brought light and laughter everywhere she went.”

“She had a kind heart, an outgoing spirit, and a way of making everyone around her feel loved and welcomed. Her smile, energy, and caring soul touched so many lives,” Rosa said.

Perez leaves behind a 17-year-old boy, who faces a life without his mother, her friends and family said.

Perez was the front desk manager at Tricoci Salon and Spa in Vernon Hills, one of her co-workers said.

She was also a pop-up coordinator for Community Outreach Waukegan, the group’s founder, Miguel A. Rivera Sr., said.

A GoFundMe account has raised over $7,500 with a $9,000 goal by 100 donors for the family’s unexpected funeral expenses.

Martinez was charged with aggravated driving under the influence causing death, driving under the influence of alcohol, improper traffic lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and aggravated using a communication device resulting in death.

Martinez was arrested by ISP special agents after being released from the hospital and was transported to the Lake County Jail.

She appeared in First Appearance Court on Sunday morning.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Martinez pending trial and Lake County Judge Patricia Cornell ordered her held until a detention hearing, which she scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

During the detention hearing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Windmoeller said Martinez admitted to driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit, which is 65 mph in that section.

Martinez has a background of reckless driving, including speeding, Windmoeller said, adding that she had four convictions for driving offenses in one year.

Defense attorney Jed Stone, who is representing Martinez, argued for his client’s release pending trial and said there was a combination of conditions that could mitigate any danger she poses.

Stone said Martinez has a 5-year-old daughter and lives at home with her parents.

He argued that Martinez should be released so she can see a counselor to deal with the drinking and with taking the life of another person. “She feels that,” Stone said.

Windmoeller responded by saying that Perez was also a mother whose child no longer has a mother.

Lake County Judge James Newman said called it a “tragic situation” but told Martinez it occurred because of her actions.

The judge said the situation was compounded by speeding, drinking and being distracted on the cell phone. “Millions of decisions that night caused your friend to no longer be with us,” Newman said, adding that many people’s lives changed after the crash.

Newman denied the state’s petition to detain Martinez, saying that he struggled with the ruling because she does not have prior DUIs on her record but that he believed conditions could mitigate the threat she poses.

Martinez was placed on Level 4 pre-trial supervision, which includes no alcohol or drugs, and ordered to be fitted with an alcohol monitoring device. She was also ordered to abide by a curfew and not to drive.

She is scheduled to appear in court again on June 25 for a preliminary hearing.

The coroner has released the identity of a 67-year-old man who died in a freak accident after he was trimming trees in his yard near Wauconda when he got electrocuted Saturday, leaving him hanging in the trees.

The Wauconda Fire District and Lake County Sheriff’s office responded around 3:55 p.m. Saturday to the area of Bonner Road and Jackson Avenue in unincorporated Wauconda for a report of downed wires and an unresponsive subject.

Firefighters arrived and found a man who had been electrocuted and was dead on arrival in the yard of a home in the 28500 block of North Jackson Avenue.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the man on Tuesday as Edward Topel, 67, of Wauconda.

Topel lived at the home where the incident occurred, Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said.

A preliminary investigation shows the man was on a ladder and trimming trees near overhead power lines, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said.

A branch is believed to have made contact with a live wire, electrocuting him.

“When first responders arrived, the power lines were still actively arcing in the trees and electrical service to the area had to be shut off before crews could safely access the victim, who was located approximately 15 feet above the ground,” Covelli said.

ComEd crews quickly responded and de-energized the wires, allowing emergency crews to remove the man and turn him over to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Wauconda Fire District Lt. Luke Stasieczek said.

No one else was injured.

Around 600 residents in the area lost power, Stasieczek said.

Firefighters remained on the scene for around two hours.

ComEd crews were seen carefully removing parts of trees where the electrocution occurred while the coroner’s office investigated.

Banek said an autopsy was performed at the Lake County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday and the preliminary results showed Topel died as a result of thermal and electrical injuries as a result of the incident.

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and coroner’s office, but authorities believe it was an accident.

“At this time, there are no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. It appears to be an unfortunate accident,” Covelli said.

A 4-year-old or 5-year-old child was injured and transported to the hospital after a car drove off Interstate 94 and crashed into a sound barrier wall, causing heavy damage near Gurnee.

The Illinois State Police, Gurnee Fire Department and Libertyville Fire Department responded around 4:45 p.m. Monday to Interstate 94 near Route 120 in Gurnee for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.

A 911 caller reported a child was unconscious and bleeding from the nose.

Gurnee Fire Department Lt. Jeremy Hagstrom said crews arrived and found a single-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 94, just north of Route 120, at the 11.75 milepost.

The car, a black sedan, sustained heavy damage and four people were in the vehicle at the time.

No extrication was needed as all occupants were out of the car.

The car appeared to be traveling westbound on Interstate 94 when it veered off to the right, through the grass embankment east of the shoulder and struck the sound barrier wall.

Hagstrom said it is unknown how the crash occurred. There were tire tracks on the roadway.

Paramedics evaluated two adults and two children, including a 4-year-old or 5-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl.

Hagstrom said the younger child was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital.

While the young girl was initially reported to be unconscious, it was determined that her injuries were not serious or life-threatening.

The other child, as well as the two adults, were uninjured and declined transport to the hospital.

The fire department briefly shut down the far right lane of the interstate but it was later reopened. A tow truck pulled the car from the embankment and towed it from the scene.

The Illinois State Police is investigating the cause and circumstances of the crash.

A teenager was arrested after detectives found he was allegedly in possession of a loaded machine gun when he walked into a gas station in Waukegan while wearing a mask.

Detectives with the Waukegan Police Department Community Crimes Division were in an unmarked squad car traveling on Washington Street in Waukegan around 2:25 p.m. on March 25.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said they observed a silver Subaru pull into the Exxon gas station at 2720 Washington Street and knew it to have been involved in an incident in North Chicago earlier in the month.

The detectives had been alerted by the North Chicago Police Department that the rear right passenger of the vehicle on that day had pulled a firearm and pointed it at people on the sidewalk.

The detectives observed that the Subaru had tint that was over the legal limit and they were unable to see into the vehicle.

Officers waited for backup to arrive to conduct a high-risk stop on the vehicle, which was parked by a pump at the gas station, McConnell said.

Detectives observed the juvenile front passenger of the vehicle exit as well as the rear passenger, identified as Ricardo Campos-Leyva, 18, of Waukegan, also exit the vehicle and go into the gas station.

McConnell said Campos-Leyva and the juvenile were both wearing balaclavas but Campos-Leyva’s was not fully pulled up. It was approximately 70 degrees outside.

Campos-Leyva was carrying a dark backpack and detectives noted that he was clenching his stationary left arm tightly to his body and reaching into his jacket as he walked, indicating he was concealing a firearm, McConnell said.

Campos-Leyva got back into the rear passenger seat and the juvenile got back into the front passenger seat. The car drove off from the gas station and officers conducted a traffic stop.

The vehicle initially did not stop and first moved towards the unmarked car, which had just activated the lights, McConnell said. The car began reversing before seemingly recognizing there were more police behind them and came to a stop.

Officers ordered all passengers out of the car and detectives observed a gun in plain view under the front passenger seat directly in front of where Campos-Leyva was sitting, McConnell said.

Detectives searched the vehicle and recovered the gun, which was a Glock 17 9mm handgun that was loaded with a round in the chamber and an extended magazine containing 31 rounds.

The gun also had an autosear device, known as a “switch,” attached that converts the gun into a fully automatic weapon, McConnell said.

Officers located a bottle containing 18 pills identified as Xanax where Campos-Leyva had been sitting.

Officers also located the backpack Campos-Leyva had been wearing into the gas station. It contained a gun case that had an extra magazine that was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, McConnell said.

The gun case would fit the Glock that was recovered from under the front passenger seat.

Officers also located numerous THC vapes and other similar items.

McConnell said detectives were able to review surveillance footage from inside the gas station, which showed Campos-Leyva continuing to walk with his left arm stiff to his body and reaching into his jacket in a manner that detectives know is consistent with someone carrying a firearm.

Detectives observed on the video the magazine of the firearm concealed on Campos-Leyva’s person.

The driver of the vehicle, who has a FOID card and can legally possess firearms, told detectives that she had previously seen Campos-Leyva carrying a gun and that she knew the backpack that Campos-Leyva had been wearing was his, McConnell said.

Campos-Leyva was charged with possession of a machine gun, four counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. The most serious charge is a Class X felony that carries up to 30 years in prison.

“This Defendant just turned 18 two months ago and does not have a FOID or a CCL and this Defendant nonetheless possessed a Glock which he had illegally turned into a machine gun with a round in the chamber and an extended magazine containing 31 rounds, plus extra ammunition in case this Defendant spent all of the 31 rounds he had armed his machine gun with, and he carried it into a gas station before trying to hide it under the seat in front of him when police arrived,” McConnell said.

“Similarly in this case this Defendant’s possession of a firearm that is altered to become a machine gun, with an extended magazine, a shiesty, and extra bullets is clearly inherently extremely dangerous and demonstrates that he poses a threat to the community and coupled with that mere possession this Defendant of the firearm he is prohibited from possessing said firearm because he is only 18 and does not have a FOID or CCL,” the prosecutor added.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Campos-Leyva pending trial and the request was granted by Lake County Judge Paul Novak during a detention hearing.

Campos-Leyva remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 9 for a case management hearing.

An Island Lake man, who is a convicted felon, has been found not guilty of speeding after he claimed racism and said he was pulled over for being a “black man driving a Mercedes” in Wauconda.

Levail Smith, 56, of Island Lake, was stopped by the Wauconda Police Department around 11:15 p.m. on August 17, 2025.

Smith later posted publicly on Facebook about “racism in Wauconda” and said he was profiled.

He said he was on his way home after helping some of his veteran brothers see their first live NFL game.

Smith said he left the game at halftime because he knew he had to get up for work on Monday morning at Lake County PADS.

Smith said he stopped at the BP gas station on Route 176 in Wauconda, a roadway he has driven “thousands of times” and always goes the speed limit.

Video from the traffic stop showed a police officer stopping Smith’s vehicle and informing him that he had stopped him for speeding.

“I wasn’t speeding, that’s a lie,” Smith said. The officer replied that it was not a lie and he had visually paced Smith’s vehicle going 15 mph over the limit as the officer was driving behind him.

Smith began yelling at the officer and arguing with him that he was not speeding.

“I’m going to tell the mayor about you, telling Eric Rinehart about yo a–. What’s your name? What’s your badge number?” Smith said in the video.

The officer went to his patrol car and came back a short time later, at which time he handed Smith a citation for speeding.

Smith asked for the officer’s supervisor, with the officer responding that he was the on-duty supervisor for the night, the video showed.

“I know rank and I know the mayor and I know more people than you think. You’re wrong right now,” Smith told the officer, adding that he would talk to the mayor in the morning.

The officer put the citation inside Smith’s car and began to walk away.

Smith began yelling at the officer and said he stopped him for being black, the video showed.

“Racist motherf–ker. Racist motherf–ker,” Smith yelled at the officer. “Please get home safe, sir,” the officer responded.

The Wauconda Police Department released the bodycam video of the traffic stop the day after the encounter, saying it was “committed to transparency and accountability.”

The department said it released the video of the stop to provide clarity to the community due to “online attention and false allegations.”

“The video clearly shows that the officer involved acted professionally and within the scope of his duties,” police officials said in August 2025.

“Allegations that the officer’s actions were motivated by racism are unfounded and not supported by the facts,” the department said.

Wauconda Police Chief David Wermes said he would not allow the reputation of his department or his officers to be falsely tarnished.

“Our officers serve this community with professionalism, and we are committed to making sure the truth is known,” Wermes said.

Smith, who said he was only driving 33 mph in a 35 mph zone, quickly deleted his public Facebook post where he claimed the encounter stemmed from racism and him being profiled.

“I truly think he was hoping to get a whiff of marijuana or alcohol container being open, but there was nothing happening,” Smith said in the post.

“Let’s face it. I got pulled over for being a black man driving a Mercedes in Wauconda. SMH deeply!” he added.

Court records show Smith’s traffic ticket case remained active over the past year, with him appearing in court multiple times.

A bench trial was held on Friday morning at the Mundelein Branch Traffic Courthouse and a judge found Smith not guilty of driving 15-20 mph above the limit.

Smith is a U.S. Marine veteran who served in the Middle East in Operation Desert Storm.

“My time in the Middle East affected me greatly and aggravated my underlying mental health conditions,” he said in an online profile, adding that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and now works with others who suffer mental health issues.

Smith received a $450,000 settlement from the City of Chicago after being shot multiple times by Chicago police officers in July 2014 while he was unarmed.

Court records show Smith is a convicted felon with numerous felony cases in Lake County dating back to 2004.

Those cases involve a range of charges, including armed kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated battery, armed violence, aggravated domestic battery by strangulation and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

At the time of the traffic stop in Wauconda, he was on probation in one of the cases after he pleaded guilty in August 2024 to aggravated battery in a public place in Mundelein.

Sheriff’s officials say they have arrested four and dismantled a drug house in Kenosha County that was tied to fraud, mail theft and burglaries, some of which occurred in Lake County.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office announced they concluded a “significant phase” of an ongoing investigation involving stolen mail, financial fraud, narcotics activity and burglary-related offenses.

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Chase Forster said deputies investigated multiple fraud complaints connected to stolen mail over the past approximately six weeks.

Detectives learned that personal and business checks were being stolen from mailboxes, altered and fraudulently used to obtain money.

Detectives were assigned to the investigation and developed information identifying several individuals believed to be involved, Forster said.

Kenosha County detectives uncovered evidence during the investigation linking the suspects to additional criminal activity, including narcotics offenses and burglaries involving storage units in the Antioch area, Forster said.

Members of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Bureau, KDOG Unit and deputies executed a search warrant on Tuesday at a residence in the 11400 block of Antioch Road in Trevor, Wisconsin.

Four suspects were taken into custody during the search warrant, including Frank W. McClaughry, 40; Alicia R. Wojtowicz, 42; Thomas D. Wilton, 53; and Tammy F. Wilton (Wolbeck), 54.

Forster said detectives recovered a substantial amount of evidence during the search warrant, including more than 150 items associated with narcotics distribution, fraud activity and burglary investigations.

The items recovered included 28.3 grams of methamphetamine, 27.3 grams of marijuana, 6.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 0.5 grams of MDMA, a small quantity of cocaine, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.

They also found fraudulent and altered checks, check-washing materials and equipment, numerous burglary tools, identification cards belonging to other individuals and suspected stolen property connected to Antioch-area storage unit burglaries.

McClaughry was charged with two counts of mail theft, two counts of misappropriation of personal identification materials, four counts of felony bail jumping, possession of burglary tools, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had four active felony warrants.

Wojtowicz was charged with two counts of mail theft and two counts of misappropriation of personal identification materials. She also had a probation hold.

Thomas Wilton was charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tammy Wilton was charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place and possession of methamphetamine. She also had a felony probation hold.

The charges are preliminary and additional charges are expected as the investigation continues, Forster said.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said it is coordinating with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding the storage unit burglaries in Antioch.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said one of the individuals arrested in Kenosha County is believed to be connected to a stolen check case that his agency is investigating in unincorporated Lake Villa.

Covelli said his agency is not investigating any storage facility thefts but believes it was in incorporated Antioch.

Antioch Police Department Public Information Officer Jared Brussaly said his department is in communication and collaborating with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and is working to identify potential victims.

“The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively target drug traffickers, drug houses, and the criminals who bring this activity into our communities. Investigations like this send a clear message that we will not tolerate the distribution of dangerous narcotics, organized crime, or repeat criminal behavior in Kenosha County,” Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner said.

“Our deputies and detectives remain committed to protecting our residents, holding offenders accountable, and working with our law enforcement partners to shut down these criminal operations wherever they exist,” Zoerner said.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said they recognize the efforts of all detectives, deputies, supervisors and evidence personnel who assisted throughout the investigation and search warrant operation.

“Their teamwork and dedication led to the recovery of a significant amount of evidence and the dismantling of an active criminal operation tied to narcotics trafficking, fraud, and property crimes,” the agency said.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud related to this investigation and has not yet reported it is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

A husband has filed a lawsuit accusing Nicor Gas of negligence for a gas-fueled explosion and fire that killed his wife, seriously injured his son and left their home completely destroyed in Wonder Lake.

Wonder Lake resident Dean L. Patnaude filed a three-count lawsuit complaint in McHenry County Circuit Court on Friday.

The suit was filed on behalf of Patnaude by Crystal Lake-based law firm Balke & Williams and names Northern Illinois Gas Company, known as Nicor Gas Company, as the defendant.

The complaint says that Patnaude, 76, and his wife, Sandra Patnaude, 59, lived at a house in the 7400 block of Birch Drive in Wonder Lake.

Nicor Gas delivered, maintained and managed natural gas service to their property.

A natural gas leak occurred and led to an explosion at the home on May 17, causing Sandra Patnaude’s death, the complaint said.

The complaint said Nicor was negligent in monitoring the gas service at the property, inadequately responded to complaints of leaking gas before the explosion, provided inadequate warning to residents in the area of the dangerous leaking natural gas and allowed the gas service to remain in an unsafe condition.

The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 7:50 p.m. that day and encountered an active house fire with significant damage and multiple injured victims, according to Wonder Lake Fire Chief Matt Yegge.

Firefighters immediately initiated both fire suppression operations and emergency medical care for the injured, Yegge said.

The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm to bring additional fire and EMS resources to the scene due to the severity of the incident.

Firefighters located an adult female victim dead at the scene, Yegge said, adding that there were two other victims still alive.

McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein said last week that his office has not positively identified the deceased victim yet due to the severity of the burns and further testing will be needed.

Court records, along with Jason Cynowa, a resident of Wonder Lake since 1977, identified the woman suspected to have died as Sandra Patnaude.

The two surviving victims were Dean Patnaude and a 28-year-old man, the sheriff’s office said.

Cynowa told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the younger man was the couple’s son.

He called the incident the “most tragic thing” and a “horrific accident.”

“I have known these people for over 30 years and they are very good people and have been members of our community for probably as long as my family has been here,” Cynowa said.

Cynowa said the family are customers of his business. He created a GoFundMe account to help the family going forward and it has raised over $8,500.

“My customers seem to always get close enough to me like friends and family. Dean works in our area almost every day and so do I. Just very, very good-hearted people,” he said.

A LifeNet medical helicopter was requested to land nearby at Wonder Lake Fire Station #1.

An ambulance transported the 28-year-old male victim to the landing zone and transferred them to the flight crew.

The helicopter flew the man to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, which has a specialized burn center, in critical condition, Yegge said.

The husband was initially transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry. Sheriff’s officials said he suffered serious injuries.

A LifeNet medical helicopter later transferred him from Northwestern Medicine Hospital to Loyola University Medical Center for further treatment.

An autopsy was performed on the female victim and toxicology testing is pending, Rein said.

The explosion and subsequent fire also caused damage to two neighboring houses.

Firefighters worked to contain the fire and prevent further extension, Yegge said.

The house that exploded was left completely leveled and destroyed, with large pieces of the home thrown around the area. The home’s detached garage remained standing.

Dean Patnaude, who is the administrator of his wife’s estate, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages from Nicor in excess of $50,000, the lawsuit complaint said.

The complaint said the man suffered “severe and permanent injuries” and was “hindered and prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs and has lost the value of that time; he suffered great pain and anguish, both in mind and body, and will in the future continue to suffer, he suffered and will continue great disabilities and an inability to enjoy a normal life and will in the future continue to suffer, and he has further expended and became liable for large sums of money for medical care and services endeavoring to become healed and cured of his injuries.”

Thomas Koch, who lives a half-mile away from the scene, told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that he heard the explosion, which sounded like a “massive boom” that shook the area.

“Shortly afterward, I could hear nonstop sirens as fire trucks and ambulances continued heading toward the scene. Seeing the large flames and thick smoke from that distance was honestly unbelievable,” he said.

Numerous other residents in Wonder Lake also reported hearing the explosion. “It shook our whole house 2.5 blocks away and all the neighbors felt it too,” one resident said.

Other residents who live in the area said they thought a vehicle had struck their house based on how loud the explosion was.

“We are two blocks away and it was raining paper on fire and a whole bunch of ashes. A bunch of mortgage papers,” another resident said.

Yegge said he could not confirm whether there was more than one explosion.

“The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to our mutual aid partners who responded and provided critical assistance,” the fire chief said.

Investigators from MABAS Division 5, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are jointly conducting an investigation.

Yegge said he has been in the fire service for 30 years and has only seen a few incidents of this magnitude. “Very rare, very rare for you to see fire scenes like this.”

An initial court date in the lawsuit has been set for August 21 for a conference scheduling hearing.