A Zion man who crashed into a home while carrying a loaded weapon in his glove box has been ordered detained in jail until trial by a Lake County judge.
The Zion Police Department was called to 2300 Gilboa Avenue at 8:31 p.m. on July 2, 2024, after a vehicle crashed into a house, court records show.
Witnesses said they were inside the basement of a home when they heard a loud noise, court records show.
They walked to the rear door and observed a black Ford Fusion in the backyard with front-end damage.
Witnesses saw the female passenger of the vehicle sitting on the grass next to the front door passenger seat while the driver, later identified as Severe Carter, crawled out of the vehicle through the passenger door and sat down next to her, court records show.
The female victim was transported to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, where she was diagnosed with a broken leg and a concussion.
Two other witnesses said they saw the black sedan Carter was driving traveling eastbound on 23rd Street at a high rate of speed, court records show.
The vehicle went through a stop sign, lost control, went over a curb, and crashed into the northwest corner of the house before coming to a stop in the backyard.
Zion police said the vehicle appeared to have driven over or through a metal fence on the property, as parts of the fence were found under the car after impact, court records show.
Carter had an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath when conversing with police after the crash, court records show. Police also said he had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and he was mumbling when speaking.
Carter was taken into custody at the scene, court records show, and the vehicle was searched. In the unlocked glove compartment, officers located a loaded gray revolver that was taken into police custody.
Carter was transported to Vista East Medical Center, where a blood draw was conducted, court records show. Officials said Carter was found with a blood alcohol content of .119, above the .08 legal limit in Illinois.
Following the year-long investigation, Carter was charged with a Class X felony charge of Armed Habitual Criminal, Class 2 felony counts of possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 4 felony count of aggravated DUI resulting in a crash with bodily harm, and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol.
In addition, prosecutors said Carter is a convicted felon with multiple prior convictions for Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon, adding he was just released from prison on a separate charge.
During a July 23 detention hearing, defense attorneys said Carter worked as an Amazon driver in Kenosha and that the female passenger grabbed the wheel during an argument, forcing the car to swerve into the house.
Lake County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nerheim ordered Carter held in Lake County jail pending trial. Carter is due back in court on August 20.