Police: Driver who died after crashing into Barrington school was fleeing hit-and-run
A driver who died Monday after slamming his SUV into a Barrington school was fleeing from the scene another crash nearby when he lost control of the vehicle and struck the building, authorities say.
Barrington police on Wednesday identified the driver as Joseph R. Wasner, 73, of Rolling Meadows. He died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in the crash at Station Middle School, according to an autopsy conducted Wednesday.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, police said.
According to police, Wasner's SUV struck another vehicle at Route 14 and Eastern Avenue, just south of the school, shortly before the fatal crash. Wasner drove away from the first collision and turned at a high rate of speed into the parking lot of the school, 215 Eastern Ave., before losing control and hitting the building.
School was in session at the time, but no students were outside the building and no one else was injured, officials said. The school was not substantially damaged.
The crash remains under investigation by the Barrington Police Department and the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team.