Two teens dead in one-car crash, three injured

A narrow, hilly, two-lane rural road in Long Grove that has a history of accidents claimed two more lives Monday night when a speeding 15-year-old driver lost control of a borrowed car.

None of the five people in the car -- ages 8 to 15 -- was old enough to drive legally.

"Our hearts go out to the families of these young children," Lake County Undersheriff Charles Fagan said.

"This is a profound tragedy that most certainly could have been avoided."

Killed were the driver, Daniel Vicario of Palatine, and a back-seat passenger, Lilia C. Bueno, 14, who recently moved from Palatine to Streamwood.

Injured were Martin Solis, 15, brother Luis Solis, 13, and brother Yareli Mendoza-Solis, 8. All are from Palatine. They've all been released from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Vicario was driving a 2007 Chevy Cobalt east on Cuba Road fast when the vehicle's driver-side front tire went off the roadway and onto the grass, said Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Thompson.

The vehicle spun out across the roadway onto the south side of Cuba Road, where it struck a picket fence and went airborne after hitting a driveway embankment. The vehicle then crashed through multiple trees and came to a final rest with the rear end of the vehicle against a large tree, Thompson said.

The speed limit on that stretch of road is 30 miles per hour.

The car's owner has been identified as Rhonda DeLeon of Waco, Tex., who recently purchased the vehicle for her 21-year-old daughter, Amy A. Hinojosa, authorities said. Hinojosa, of Palatine, told investigators she thought Vicario was 18 and lent it to him to run an errand, police said.

Investigators are likely to meet with the Lake County state's attorney's office to review possible charges.

Vicario was a good friend of Martin Solis and had picked Bueno up to give her a ride to meet her brother at a Wal-Mart, family members said.

The accident recalled another single-vehicle crash on the same road in 2004 that killed Brett Karlin, 18, of Buffalo Grove. The driver of the car, Dana Short, 18, was estimated to be going 90 mph at the time when it also became airborne and hit trees, sheriff's police said.

Commenters on the Daily Herald Web site Tuesday recalled their own experiences going back decades speeding on the road and that it was known as a place for "hill-topping," or feeling the car leave the pavement as it crested a hill. And they recalled the invincibility they felt as young drivers.

The accident was a reminder of how dangerous driving can be for students at Palatine High School, where both Vicario and Martin Solis were freshmen, said Ty Koebernick, a junior, and Ryan Bilihou, a freshman.

"I'm definitely going to be more cautious," Koebernick said.

Long Grove officials held a moment of silence for the victims during a board meeting Tuesday night. Village President Maria Rodriguez said earlier in the day the board has looked into the safety of Cuba Road before, but many issues come from drivers ignoring the speed limit.

Thompson acknowledged the problems that have occurred on Cuba Road.

"We try to enforce the law in areas where speed is an issue, but we can't be everywhere at every time," he said. "This is a tragic accident."

Sheriff's police said they and fire crews were dispatched to Cuba Road and Crestview Drive at around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Bueno was ejected from her seat behind the driver during the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene by Lake County coroner officials, Thompson said.

Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods and Lake Zurich fire departments assisted in the extraction of the injured victims from the mangled vehicle.

Vicario was flown by helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he later died.

The three siblings were taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barrington by ambulance before later being flown to Lutheran General.

Palatine High School Tuesday offered counseling to students in three rooms set up for grieving classmates. A counselor also visited each class that Daniel and Martin were in. The school held a moment of silence at 10:25 a.m. and lowered the school's Pirate flag to half staff.

"Obviously we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts are certainly with the families," said Tom Petersen, a spokesman for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

Most Palatine students were somber as they streamed to their cars after school on Tuesday. Some said emotions were high all day.

"After we heard the announcement at the end of second hour, a lot of people were crying in the halls and everyone was talking about it," said John Burck, a junior.

Officials will be selling black ribbons in the school cafeteria today with profits going toward the victims' families, several students said.

Students already are brainstorming on ideas to raise funds for funerals and medical expenses, and staff members are taking up a collection, he said. Anyone interested in providing assistance to Bueno's family may contact Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home in Palatine at (847) 358-7411.

• Staff writers Sheila Ahern, Russell Lissau, Kimberly Pohl and Nadia Malik contributed to this report.

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