Driver in Kane Co. fatal still critical

A 23-year-old Sycamore man involved in a fatal weekend crash in Kane County remained in critical condition Monday, officials said.

Evan A. Florian, of the 1000 block of Meadow Lane, has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving in the wrong lane in connection with the crash that killed an 88-year-old Woodstock woman early Sunday in Lily Lake. Police said they "cannot rule out that drugs or alcohol played a role," and more charges are possible.

"Unfortunately, it depends on his condition," Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said.

According to police, Florian was driving south on Route 47 about 1:45 a.m. Sunday when his 1990 Buick Regal went into the oncoming lane and struck a 2002 Ford Escape south of Empire Road. Anita Schwake, 88, a back seat passenger in the Escape, died. Three others in that vehicle were injured.

Police shut down a stretch of Route 47 for more than four hours to investigate.

Florian, who was ejected from his vehicle in the crash, was still listed in critical condition at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, a spokeswoman said. According to Gengler, toxicology tests are pending at a state crime lab.

"We're still looking into it," he said of the crash, which was Kane County's third fatal accident in one week.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=321153">Police: Woman killed by wrong-way driver in Lily Lake <span class="date">[09/13/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>