Jury selection begins for man accused of causing 2012 fatal crash

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a Mundelein man accused of intentionally causing a fatal 2012 crash in Round Lake.

Mark Oelerich, 23, faces up to 60 years in prison if found guilty of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs for the crash that killed Araceli Villasenor, 25, of Round Lake Beach.

Authorities said Oelerich was "testing his immortality" Thanksgiving night 2012 when he intentionally crossed the centerline on Cedar Lake Road near Route 120 and slammed a family member's Cadillac SUV head-on into Villasenor's vehicle.

After the crash, Villasenor and her three children were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead. The children were treated and released.

Authorities said Oelerich told investigators he had been receiving signs from God that made him believe he was invincible before the Nov. 21 crash.

Oelerich has remained in Lake County jail since the crash on $1 million bail.

He also faces 10 counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and three counts of resisting arrest for fighting with jail guards the night of his arrest.