Teen driver ticketed in fatal crash

One of the drivers in a two-vehicle crash that left a Deerfield teen dead last month has been ticketed but won't face more serious charges, police said Tuesday.

Matt Kaufman, 17, of 1440 Country Lane, Deerfield, was charged with failure to yield while turning left.

The July 24 accident killed Gina Bronge, 15, of Deerfield and injured six other teens, including Kaufman.

Tests showed Kaufman didn't have drugs or alcohol in his system when the crash occurred, Deerfield Deputy Police Chief Rick Wilk said.

Toxicology tests conducted on the other driver, 17-year-old Ryan Koplin of 2419 Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods, are being reviewed by the Lake County state's attorney's office, Wilk said.

The crash occurred at Waukegan and Kates roads. Bronge was a passenger in Koplin's 2002 Jeep Wrangler when it was hit by Kaufman's 2006 Hyundai Tiburon, police said.

The Jeep was headed south on Waukegan Road, police said. The Tiburon was making a left turn from northbound Waukegan Road onto westbound Kates Road, police said.

The traffic light was yellow when both vehicles entered the intersection, Wilk said. Bronge, who police said wasn't wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wilk blamed the crash -- and Bronge's death -- on bad judgment and a lack of seat-belt use. Speed was not a factor, he said.

"It's just an unfortunate accident," he said.

Kaufman is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 22.