Authorities have identified an Antioch man who was killed after he tried to pass another car, which then swerved into his vehicle, causing him to lose control and rollover last weekend.
An autopsy shows William J. Stephens, 39, of Antioch, died of multiple blunt force injuries due to a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Antioch Fire Department responded around 4:05 p.m. Saturday to Route 45 north of Route 173 in unincorporated Antioch for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies located two vehicles, a Dodge Caliber and Ford Taurus, both with major damage, according to Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli.
Covelli said that a preliminary investigation showed the Dodge and Ford were both traveling northbound on Route 45 north of Route 173.
The driver of the Ford, identified as Stephens, attempted to pass the Dodge as they both traveled northbound.
The driver of the Dodge, a 23-year-old Bristol, Wisconsin man, swerved toward the Ford, causing the Ford to maneuver toward the shoulder of the southbound lanes, according to evidence and witness statements.
Covelli said that Stephens then lost control and struck the Dodge while correcting. This caused Stephens’ vehicle to roll over and he was ejected.
Stephens was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries. He later was pronounced dead due to his injuries.
The driver of the Dodge was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 36-year-old female passenger and a 6-year-old female passenger in the Ford were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Covelli said that detectives are investigating the crash as a road rage incident. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office will review the case for possible charges once the investigation is complete.
An obituary for Stephens says the man left behind his fiancé and young daughter. A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 1-2 p.m. and the funeral will follow at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium in Grayslake.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Unit and Lake County Coroner’s Office.