Dawn Patrol: Car in Wheeling pond; Geneva High grad died from drugs
Man hospitalized after SUV crashes into Wheeling retention pond
A man was hospitalized after a medical or equipment malfunction yesterday in Wheeling that ended with his vehicle partially submerged in a retention pond, fire officials said. The crash happened at about 5:20 p.m. in a parking lot on the northwest corner of Wolf and Palatine roads, Wheeling Battalion Chief Steve Kosick said. Full story.
Report: Geneva man who got 2nd chance after fatal crash died from drugs
Three months ago, Michael Szot of Geneva gave a moving speech to Geneva High School students about how his decision to start drinking several years earlier led to him crashing a car while drunk in the summer of 2014, killing two friends. What students likely didn't know then was that his struggles with drugs were far from over: Two days earlier, he had overdosed on Vicodin and needed Narcan to revive him. And his death this June was found to be from a mix of drugs, a coroner's report said yesterday. Full story.
Police investigating 3 recent armed robberies in Waukegan
The Waukegan Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is investigating three separate recent armed robberies that include victims being pepper-sprayed and punched. The first armed robbery happened at 1:20 p.m. Friday outside the PNC Bank, 1802 Belvidere Road, police said in a news release. Full story.
Motorcycle passenger, 23, dies after Waukegan accident
A 23-year-old female motorcycle passenger died after an accident in Waukegan that involved a car early Saturday morning, police said. The crash took place at 2 a.m. at McAlister Street and Helmholtz Avenue, police said in a release. Full story.
Report: 7-year-old who died at cheer camp had heart defect
The 7-year-old Park Ridge girl who died during cheerleading camp in June at Maine South High School had a congenital heart defect, according to the Cook County medical examiner's report released yesterday. Katherine "Kate" Babich, who had just finished first grade at Field Elementary School, had a disorder known as Ebstein's anomaly, the report said. Full story.
Lisle man fights Naperville police dashcam video release
A Lisle man charged with falsely accusing a Naperville police officer of trying to run him over is trying to block disclosure of police reports and dashcam video related to the case. DuPage County Chief Public Defender Jeffrey York filed a motion yesterday seeking to prevent the Naperville Police Department from releasing any documents and footage while the case against Donald Pritchard is going on. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear and 71 degrees this morning. Temperatures are expected to climb to 85 degrees this afternoon, before dipping to 72 degrees tonight Full story.
Traffic
Intersection widening and reconstruction work is causing restrictions at Higgins and Big Timber roads near Pingree Grove. Full story.
Chicago Bears turn to Larsen to replace Grasu at center
The Chicago Bears began moving on from center Hroniss Grasu's season-ending knee injury, with seventh-year veteran Ted Larsen taking over in the middle yesterday and making his first snaps to quarterback Jay Cutler. Grasu, who tore the ACL in his right knee during Saturday's practice at Soldier Field, was on crutches at lunch but in good spirits considering the situation. Full story.