Additional charges filed in death of teen, driver jailed

Lake County prosecutors filed new charges Wednesday against the motorist accused of striking and killing a Round Lake Beach teen.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willett said blood tests show Desiree Britt, 22, was driving with marijuana in her system Jan. 24 when, police say, she hit Alonzo De La Torre.

Britt, of 22 Junior Drive, Grayslake, is also charged with endangering the life of a child because her 2-year-old daughter was in the car at the time.

The accident occurred as De La Torre, 17, jogged with friends along Hainesville Road near Merriwood Lane. He died two days later.

Britt was originally charged with misdemeanor counts of marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance.

De La Torre's family and Hispanic activists had protested the fact additional charges were not filed against Britt but said they were pleased with Wednesday's action.

"I would say that we are relieved, because we were mainly concerned about getting her off the street," said Rudy De La Torre, the victim's older brother. "We do not want to have anyone else go through what we are going through."

About 25 family members and supporters were on hand for the hearing, many wearing T-shirts with Alonzo De La Torre's picture.

Willett also filed an unrelated charge of domestic battery against Britt alleging she struck her daughter's father Feb. 13.

Britt's legal problems worsened Wednesday when Circuit Judge John Phillips ordered her sent to jail after the court appearance to begin serving a four-month term imposed in an earlier conviction.

Britt is on probation for a January 2007 conviction for battery in a case that was negotiated down from an original charge of aggravated battery.

Part of that court order required her to abstain from any illegal substances, including marijuana.

Willett showed Phillips a report from Britt's probation officer saying Britt has twice tested positive for marijuana use.

The first failed test was Feb. 27, Willett said, and the second was administered about 30 minutes before Britt appeared in court Wednesday.

She urged Phillips to order Britt to begin serving the 120-day jail sentence imposed in the 2007 conviction. It was stayed as long as she remained in compliance with the probation conditions.

"The defendant has tested positive twice since this tragedy, has not paid her fines and court costs, nor has she done her public service," Willett said. "She is not in compliance and belongs in jail."

Lake County Assistant Public Defender Art Kessler asked Phillips to leave Britt's jail time on hold because she has to care for her daughter.

But Phillips said while he considers Britt innocent of the pending charges until a trial proves otherwise, the positive drug tests were too much for him to ignore.

He ordered her taken into custody to begin serving the sentence, which does not allow for any time off for good behavior.

Britt faces a maximum of one year in jail if convicted of any of the charges against her except the marijuana possession, which has a maximum of 90 days in jail.

She is due in court May 5.