Family of Round Lake Beach teen killed by car sues driver
The father of a Round Lake Beach teen struck and killed by a motorist last month has filed a wrongful death suit against the driver.
The suit against Desiree R. Britt, 21, of Grayslake claims she was negligent in the Jan. 24 accident that fatally injured Alonzo De La Torre, 17.
It also claims Britt was driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs, even though she has not been criminally charged with DUI.
According to the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Lake County court, Manuel De La Torre and his family are seeking more than $50,000 from Britt.
"By this lawsuit, we hope to be able to bring a small measure of equity and fairness to the De La Torre family, which has suffered an immense loss of a very, very fine young man," the family's attorney, Robert Long, said in a news release.
Britt could not be reached for comment.
De La Torre was hit while running with friends near Hainesville Road and Merriwood Lane, police said. He died two days later at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
The accident remains under investigation by Round Lake Beach police and the Lake County major crash assistance team.
Contradicting earlier statements, police on Friday confirmed Britt, 21, of 22 Junior Ave., was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance.
She was released from police custody after posting $100 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Round Lake Beach branch court March 4.
Investigators are awaiting the results of blood and urine tests, Round Lake Beach Police Chief Douglas Larsson said. When those results are in, they and other evidence will be given to the Lake County state's attorney's office, police have said.
The lawsuit was filed a day after members of the De La Torre family, area Hispanics and local activists protested outside the Round Lake Beach police station over the investigation into the accident. They were upset more serious charges weren't been brought against Britt.
The organizers of the protest also announced plans to ask the Justice Department to investigate all law enforcement agencies in Lake County for what they described as racist and discriminatory behavior against Hispanics.