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Father of boy killed in crash admits he used marijuana

An Island Lake man pleaded guilty Friday to driving a car with drugs in his system when he was involved in an accident that killed his 10-year-old son in December 2011.

Scott Shirey, 50, of the 3300 block of Concordia Drive, pleaded guilty to a single count of aggravated driving under the influence of cannabis in Lake County circuit court Friday.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kenneth LaRue said Shirey will be on probation for 30 months and will pay a $1,250 fine following the negotiated plea in court.

Shirey is also ordered to participate in a drug-treatment program, is not allowed to use alcohol or illegal drugs, and must submit to random Breathalyzer and urine tests as part of probation for his negotiated plea deal.

Should he fail to meet the probation requirements, Shirey will be sentenced to 180 days in Lake County jail, LaRue said.

Shirey, the father of victim Griffin Shirey, was facing up to 14 years in prison if he had been convicted on multiple counts of reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and endangering the life of a child.

He was behind the wheel of a Lincoln sedan on Dec. 12, 2011, with his twin sons — Nicholas and Griffin — in the back seat when he tried to turn onto Old McHenry Road from Route 12 near North Barrington.

The Lincoln was hit by an oncoming pickup truck driven by Matthew Loiacano, 30, of Kansasville, Wis., who drove through a red light and into the side of the sedan.

The force of the impact instantly killed Griffin Shirey and severely injured Nicholas Shirey, authorities said at the time of the crash.

Lab tests later established Scott Shirey was under the influence of marijuana at the time s.

Loiacano faces five years in prison if convicted on the five counts of reckless homicide he was charged with following the crash.

Authorities said Loiacano was unfamiliar with the heavy-duty pickup truck and was distracted while driving when he went through the red light.

Loiacano is due back in court on Dec. 6.

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No charges yet in fatal Route 12 accident near Lake Zurich

Island Lake twin remains in critical condition

Benefit for accident victims:

Griffin Shirey funeral

Charges filed in fatal December Route 12 crash

Arraignment set:

Men charged in crash that killed Island Lake boy plead not guilty

Plea deal offered to Island Lake man involved in car crash that killed son

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