Palatine woman charged in crash that injured her daughters

Authorities said a 42-year-old Palatine woman driving with drugs in her system crashed into a tree Saturday morning, injuring her two young daughters.

Leslie L. Connolly, of the 900 block of Country Lane, appeared at a bond hearing Monday in Rolling Meadows to face charges of aggravated driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound, child endangerment, failure to properly secure child in child restraint system and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. A Cook County judge set bond at $35,000.

Witnesses told Palatine police that at 10:17 a.m. Saturday, Connolly was driving west on East Carpenter Drive, between Stark Drive and Hicks Road, when her vehicle struck a parked landscaping trailer. Connolly's 2000 Ford Crown Victoria then veered off the road and struck a tree.

Preliminary toxicology reports showed a presence of cocaine and a prescription tranquilizer in Connolly's blood, police said. Connolly confirmed the illicit drug use in a statement, police said.

Connolly was treated and released from Northwest Community Hospital with minor injuries. Her daughters, ages 4 and 7, were transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. A hospital spokeswoman said one of the girls was released, while the other is listed in fair condition.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is conducting an independent investigation of the incident.