A man has been charged with drug-induced homicide for allegedly selling fentanyl-laced cocaine that resulted in the overdose death of a 63-year-old woman in Zion.
The Zion Police Department and Zion Fire Rescue Department responded around 5:30 p.m. on May 26 to a 911 call for an overdose in the 1300 block of 33rd Street.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said officers spoke with a witness who reported she took money to purchase crack cocaine from a man, later identified as Sandy S. Hall, 27, of Zion.
The witness gave the drugs to the victim, who smoked it and began experiencing an overdose.
The witness called 911 and attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived.
Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said the victim, Lisa Wirtz, 63, of Zion, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wirtz’s cause of death was determined to be from fentanyl toxicity and her death was ruled an accident, Newton said. The woman also had cocaine in her system.
Vukovich said a description of the drug dealer’s car was provided and a video camera captured the vehicle.
Investigators identified Hall, who was visible in the video, based on prior contacts with him.
He arrived at the apartment building by himself around 3:55 p.m. that day and entered an apartment before leaving minutes later, Vukovich said.
Officers located Hall and the suspect vehicle and interviewed him.
Vukovich said Hall admitted to driving the vehicle and said he knew the victim and the witness. Hall said he and a man named Bruce went to visit them.
Hall said the witness wanted to buy drugs from him but that he told the witness he was out of supply and that it was Bruce who sold the drugs to them, Vukovich said.
The witness told police she knew who Bruce was but that she had not seen him in a month and he was not at the apartment that day, Vukovich said.
A crack pipe recovered from the scene was sent to the crime lab and it tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine.
Hall’s girlfriend told police that the man took her car, which was the suspect vehicle identified, around 3:30 p.m. the day of the incident and she did not know where he went but that he returned with a pizza, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said phone data was reviewed by investigators and messages sent by Hall to the two women referenced him selling drugs. The witness also said that Hall had mentioned he had to cook the drugs.
Hall was charged on September 26 with drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, and delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 3 felony.
A public defender representing Hall said the man had been at the apartment with the two women earlier to smoke crack but did not sell them the drugs.
During a detention hearing, Lake County Judge D. Christopher Lombardo granted a petition to detain Hall in the Lake County Jail pending trial.
The judge noted that Hall has a significant criminal history and he presents a danger to the community by cooking and selling drugs with fentanyl. “Clearly you have the means and the motivation to continue this enterprise.”
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 16.