A fundraiser was started for a single mother and her 4-year-old son who was seriously injured after they were hit by a drunk driver near Woodstock. The crash also killed a woman and two dogs.
Jeff Prien, who is the mother’s stepfather, organized the GoFundMe.
Prien’s 27-year-old daughter, Taylor, was driving eastbound on Route 176 west of Sunnyside Road in unincorporated Woodstock with her 4-year-old son, Jayce, and their two dogs around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.
A drunk driver, identified as Sergio Esquivel, 44, of Marengo, was driving westbound on Route 176 west of Sunnyside Road.
A preliminary investigation indicated that Escobal, driving a red 2019 Dodge Challenger, crossed the center line and crashed into Taylor’s gray 2016 Mazda 6, according to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office, Marengo Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District and Union Fire Protection District responded to the incident.
The passenger of the Dodge, identified as Mabel Esquivel, 44, of Marengo, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy performed on Thursday showed Esquivel died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein.
Esquivel was transported by medical helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with serious injuries.
Taylor and her son Jayce were transported from the scene by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Woodstock.
Jayce was later transported by ambulance to Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago with serious injuries.
One dog died in the crash and the other was taken to an emergency veterinarian for observation.
On Saturday, Prien said that the other dog, Kilo, died after surgery to remove his spleen. Prien told Lake and McHenry County Scanner the surgery cost $4,000.
Prien says that Taylor is a single mom who “was already struggling and working hard to make ends meet.”
Taylor will not be able to work for a few weeks, Prien said.
Sergio Esquivel was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and improper lane usage.
He was issued a notice to appear in court due to him being hospitalized, according to McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Byrnes.
The sheriff’s office says both Esquivels were not wearing seatbelts. Taylor was wearing a seatbelt and Jayce was restrained in a child safety seat.
Route 176 between Sunnyside Road and Timber Lane was closed for approximately six hours for the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Investigation Unit and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.