Arlington Heights woman charged in Lake County dragging death

Lake County authorities said today they have charged a 43-year-old Arlington Heights woman with murder in the death of a Round Lake Beach man.

Lori Michelsen, of 432 South Rammer, is accused of striking Brian Boatright, 29, with her car and dragging him for a half-mile Tuesday night.

Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willet said Michelsen and Boatright were drinking while seated in Michelson's Volvo station wagon in a parking lot in the 300 block of West Rollins Road around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The two, who were in a dating relationship, resumed an argument they had been having for most of the day, Willet said.

Boatright got out of the car and stood in front of it. Willet said Michelsen told detectives from the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force in a videotaped confession that she was angry with Boatright and moved the car forward.

Willet said Michelsen told police she "nudged" Boatright with the vehicle and he disappeared.

Police say they have spoken to witnesses who said they were in the parking lot and screamed at Michelsen to stop because there was a man underneath her car, but she continued to drive.

Police found her standing in the middle of the street over Boatright's body near his home in the 400 block of Meadowgreen Lane.

Michelsen is also charged with aggravated driving under the influence and causing a death.

She is scheduled to appear in bond court this morning.