On May 19, 2019, at approximately 1:45AM, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a vehicle versus house traffic crash with injuries in the 28900 block of South Avenue, Unincorporated Spring Grove.

When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they found a 2009 GMC Pick-Up Truck which intruded several feet into the home.  A 71-year-old female, who was sleeping at the time of the crash, was pinned under the GMC.  The driver of the GMC, later identified as Talon C. Franz, 28, of the 0-100 block of Oak Hill Colony Street, Fox Lake, fled from the scene.

Further investigation showed the GMC had previously been traveling northbound on Route 12 north of North Lake Vista Terrace at a high rate of speed, according to witnesses.  The driver of the GMC struck a northbound 2018 Volkswagen SUV.  The GMC then struck a utility pole on the west side of Route 12, drove through a fence, and struck the home.

Fox Lake Fire successfully extricated the 71-year-old female homeowner, and she was transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry with non-life-threatening injuries.  There is a dog and two cats from the home unaccounted for.

The 69-year-old male driver of the Volkswagen and 67-year-old female passenger, both of Johnsburg, were also transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Sheriff’s Deputies located Franz at his residence and positively identified him as being the driver who caused the crash and fled.  He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with: 

Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Traffic Crash (Class 2 Felony) 

Reckless Driving 

Failure to Report a Traffic Crash 

Improper Lane Usage 

Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident 

Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

He remains held in the Lake County Jail on $75,000.00 bail.  He is next due in court on May 22, 2019, at 1:30PM in courtroom T110.

Sheriff Idleburg reminds the public all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.