Police still investigating crash that killed Mundelein teen

Authorities on Monday said they're investigating whether drugs or alcohol were factors in a Wauconda-area car accident that left a teenager dead.

Police are looking into whether speed or other issues contributed, too.

Heather LaMarche, 19, of Mundelein suffered head, chest and internal injuries in the two-vehicle crash, which occurred Friday night on Fairfield Road south of Old Oak Drive, Lake County sheriff's police said.

An autopsy revealed LaMarche didn't have alcohol or illegal drugs in her system when she died, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.

Two teenage passengers in her car were hurt, as was the driver of the second auto, police said.

LaMarche was headed south on Fairfield Road about 9:20 p.m. when her 1991 Cadillac Eldorado collided with a 1995 Ford Explorer that was headed north, police said.

LaMarche's car overturned after impact and caught fire, police said.

LaMarche's passengers were able to get out of the vehicle, but LaMarche was trapped inside. Would-be rescuers, including police and firefighters, could not free her from the vehicle until after the fire was out, sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Thompson said.

She was dead before the fire started, Keller said.

One of the teen passengers, Kevin Lipowski, 18, of Mundelein, was taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The other, Troy McCullough, 15, of Mundelein, went to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington.

Both were friends of LaMarche's and are Mundelein High School students, authorities said. Both were treated at the hospitals and released, school officials said.

The driver of the Ford, 44-year-old Miguel Hernandez of Grayslake, suffered broken legs in the crash. He was taken to Condell, too.

No charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon. The accident remained under investigation.

LaMarche graduated from Mundelein High in 2006. Her sister, Ashley, is a senior this year.

Students and employees can seek crisis counseling from the school's guidance counselors and social workers, Deputy Superintendent/Principal John Ahlgrim said.

A wake for Heather LaMarche will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Kristan Funeral Home, 219 W. Maple Ave. in Mundelein. A Mass celebrating her life will be held Wednesday at St. Mary's of Vernon Catholic Church, 236 Route 45 in Indian Creek.