Men charged in crash that killed 10-year-old Island Lake boy plead not guilty

Two men charged in connection with a car crash that killed a 10-year-old Island Lake boy pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Island Lake resident Scott Shirey, 49, who is the father of victim Griffin Shirey, faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and endangering the life of a child.

Matthew Loiacano, 29, of Kansasville, Wis., could face up to five years in prison if convicted of the reckless homicide charge against him.

Assistant State’s Attorney Ken LaRue said Loiacano drove his pickup truck against a red light into the intersection of Route 12 and Old McHenry Road around 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 12.

The car driven by Scott Shirey, with his twin sons Griffin and Nicholas in the back seat, turned left in the intersection and into the path of the pickup truck.

Nicholas was injured in the crash and was treated at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington.

Lab tests later established the elder Shirey was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash, resulting in the charges with the more severe penalties.

Circuit Judge Fred Foreman scheduled trials of the cases for June 18 and ordered Scott Shirey to appear in court April 18.

Loiacano is due back in court May 2 and both men are free on $2,500 bond.