Officers not responsible for Fox Lake crash, investigation finds

Officers involved in an October interstate police chase that resulted in a fatal crash in Fox Lake are not responsible, findings of a recent investigation show.

On the evening of Oct. 20, police in Genoa City, Wisconsin, attempted to stop Theopolis Owens, 28, after a traffic violation, according to a news release from the Fox Lake Police Department. Because Owens didn't stop for police - a felony offense in Wisconsin - officers pursued him.

The chase entered Illinois, and Spring Grove officers assisted Genoa City police. Both departments were using marked squad cars with sirens, the release said.

Ultimately, Owens - who was driving two female passengers in a 1994 Toyota Camry - crashed on Route 73 west of Converse Avenue in Fox Lake. The collision killed Owens and one of his passengers, 18-year-old Kayla Crews of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The other passenger was seriously injured.

Fox Lake police responded to the scene for assistance but weren't involved in the chase, the release said.

The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team found Owens fully responsible for the crash. The Genoa City officer was more than 600 feet behind the Toyota when Owens lost control, the release said.