Investigators believe a 32-year-old man was racing another vehicle when he crashed head-on into a car, killing a 78-year-old man in Beach Park earlier this week.
An autopsy showed that Peter Kliora, 78, of Waukegan, died as a result of blunt force injuries from a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Beach Park Fire Department responded around 1:15 p.m. Monday to Sheridan Road and West Howard Street in Beach Park for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found two vehicles with heavy damage, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
A preliminary investigation shows a Toyota Prius, driven by Kliora, was making a left turn from Howard Street onto northbound Sheridan Road.
An Infiniti M35, driven by a 32-year-old Waukegan man, was traveling southbound on Sheridan Road in the same area.
Both vehicles collided in the intersection, resulting in heavy damage to the vehicles.
Some witnesses reported the Infiniti was traveling at a high rate of speed and recklessly prior to the crash, Covelli said.
Based on video surveillance and the witness statements, investigators believe the driver of the Infiniti racing with another vehicle just prior to the crash.
Kliora was trapped in his Toyota and had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Kliora was transported by ambulance to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy was performed on him on Wednesday by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
The driver of the Infiniti was transported to Vista Medical Center East with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Covelli said the investigation team will be working to determine the speed of the Infiniti.
No charges have been filed yet as the crash investigation is still in the early stages.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigation Team.