Elgin fatal crash ruled an accident

The driver of a Cadillac is to blame in an I-90 crash Christmas Eve in Elgin that killed a college student, a Kane County coroner's jury ruled Wednesday.

David A. Nazario, 24, died after his Honda Civic crashed on the tollway near the Route 31 exit, after he was cut off by the Cadillac, and hit another car and a concrete barrier before being hit broadside by a bus.

Using I-Pass records, the Illinois State Police located the driver of the Cadillac, who told investigators she did not know the crash took place until later, Trooper Brad Bastion said.

No charges have been filed and the crash is under investigation, Bastion said.

Although blame was placed on the driver, Nazario's death was ruled an accident.

Nazario had a Chicago address but apparently lived in Crystal Lake. He studied at DePaul University for about three years, according to testimony at an inquest into his death.

Witnesses say Nazario was eastbound when he swerved to avoid the Cadillac, hit a Nissan Maxima and the median. As his car veered back into traffic, Nazario was hit on the driver's side by a tour bus.

Deputy coroner Amy Renwick said an autopsy was not performed, in part because of the extent of the head and neck injuries Nazario suffered. Lab tests showed no drugs or alcohol in his system.