A Waukegan man was arrested after he crashed head-on into another car, leaving a woman hospitalized, on Route 173 near Antioch and then fled the scene on foot.
Marco A. Morales, 53, of Waukegan, was charged with failure to report a crash involving injury, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, driving without valid registration, improper passing, expired driver’s license and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Newport Township Fire Protection District responded around 6:30 p.m. last Saturday to the area of Route 173 and Crawford Road near Antioch for a report of a crash with injuries.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Morales was driving a 1994 Honda Accord eastbound on Route 173.
He illegally passed a 2022 Hyundai, driven by a 48-year-old Elgin woman, in the westbound lanes, Covelli said.
The Honda struck a 2013 Audi, driven by a 49-year-old Northbrook man, head-on while passing the Honda.
The head-on crash caused the Audi to then strike the Hyundai. Covelli said Morales then fled from the scene on foot.
The driver of the Hyundai suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, Covelli said.
Morales went to the Gurnee Police Department around 10:30 p.m. to turn himself in for causing the crash and fleeing.
Sheriff’s deputies responded, confirmed he was the driver and arrested him, Covelli said.
Prosecutors said Morales’ driver’s license was expired. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain and it was granted by a judge.
Morales remains held in the Lake County Jail and is set to appear in court again on February 10 for a preliminary hearing.