Fox Lake woman accused of crashing into house, ambulance

Police have cited a 48-year-old Fox Lake woman for hitting a house and an ambulance in separate motor vehicle crashes Tuesday, authorities said.

Laverne Russo, 48, of the 100 block of Lakeview Avenue, has been cited for illegal operation of an uninsured vehicle after the accidents that started about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fox Lake police Lt. Mark Schindler said Wednesday.

The accidents remain under investigation and additional charges could be pending, Schindler said.

Russo was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix when it struck a gas meter attached to a house on the 100 block of Lakeview Avenue, Schindler said. Fox Lake Fire Protection District officials said the house sustained minor structural damage, but the vehicle's impact caused some gas meter piping to break off.

Russo left the area and later told police she thought the vehicle struck bushes, Schindler said.

Police officers contacted Russo by phone and asked her to return to the accident scene. While en route, Russo struck a Fox Lake Fire Protection District ambulance at Route 12 and Oak Avenue, Schindler said.

After the crash with the ambulance, Russo asked to be taken to a hospital for treatment on an unrelated medical matter, Schindler said.

No injuries were reported in either accident, he said.