Sheriff investigating whether 'road rage' behind deadly crash

Lake County sheriff's detectives are investigating whether an Oct. 17 crash that killed a 39-year-old Antioch man involved "road rage," authorities said Monday.

William J. Stephens died from multiple traumatic injuries suffered in the crash, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said.

According to the initial crash investigation, Stephens was driving a Ford Taurus north on Route 45 just north of Route 173 when he attempted to pass a northbound Dodge Caliber about 4 p.m. Oct. 17.

Sheriff's police said the driver of the Dodge, a 23-year-old Bristol, Wisconsin, man, swerved toward the Ford, causing Stephens to veer toward the shoulder of the southbound lanes and lose control of his vehicle.

The Ford struck the Dodge and rolled, ejecting Stephens. He was later pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Stephens' passengers, a 36-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl, also were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

The Wisconsin man was taken to St. Catherine's Hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with nonlife-threating injuries, authorities said.

Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli said investigators will review the case with the Lake County state's attorney's office before determining whether charges should be filed.

When officials initially released information about the crash, they erroneously reported that the person who died was from Round Lake. Cooper said his office confirmed Stephens was from Antioch.