A 17-year-old Round Lake Beach boy, who told investigators he fell asleep while driving, has been charged in connection with a crash near Third Lake in July, which left a 70-year-old Grayslake woman dead.
The teen, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, was charged on Saturday with improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Gurnee Fire Department responded at 4:35 p.m. on July 28, 2018, to the area of Route 45 and West Cottage Avenue in Warren Township.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that a 2011 Kia Soul, driven by the 17-year-old Round Lake Beach boy, and a 2003 Toyota Corolla, driven by Katherine Lewis, 70, of Grayslake, were involved in the crash.
Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that the Kia was traveling northbound on Route 45 when it crossed the double-yellow line and entered into the southbound lane of traffic.
The Kia struck the Toyota as it was driving southbound. Lewis sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she was later pronounced dead.
The 17-year-old boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center.
Crash investigators and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and brought charges against the boy, who told authorities he fell asleep while driving, Covelli said.
The juvenile is scheduled to appear in court on April 11.