Drugs, alcohol found in dead Johnsburg teen's system

A Johnsburg teen who froze to death last month in subzero weather had alcohol and marijuana in his system, officials have confirmed.

Samuel Summers had a blood-alcohol level of .10, which is above the legal limit in Illinois of .08. He also had marijuana in his system, according to McHenry County Coroner Marlene A. Lantz,

Summers, 17, a Johnsburg High School senior, was found dead at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24 by a Johnsburg police officer in a field off the road near 3200 N. Richmond Road (Route 31), just south of McHenry Park.

"He was missing, I think, for about 12 hours," Lantz said Wednesday. "He was found the next afternoon."

Police said they believed Summers was involved in a minor automobile crash and got stuck in the snow about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 24 near Richmond and Johnsburg roads. He called his mother for help and walked away, police said.

His body was found about a half-mile from his car, Lantz said.

A wind chill advisory was in effect at the time, according to National Weather Service records.

Lantz said while alcohol could have an effect on body heat retention, Summers was not dressed properly for extremely low temperatures. He was wearing a lightweight quilted jacket over a T-shirt, and gym shoes without socks, she said.

"He really wasn't dressed properly for the cold," she said. "It was below zero."

Summers' body was found in a field on the opposed side of the road from where his car was located. The cause of death was hypothermia.

• Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report