Lake County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Investigators conducted a thorough investigation into a crash that occurred on February 3, 2023, which killed George V. Giannakakis, age 73.
Following the investigation, traffic crash investigators determined the driver of a GMC Acadia GMC that was driven into oncoming lanes, was driving under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash. Craig B. Muzard, 74, now of the 4000 block of Illinois Street, unincorporated Crystal Lake was under the influence of cocaine, which played a direct role in the crash and death of Giannakakis, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the crash and subsequent investigation, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Muzard:
Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Resulting in Death (class 2 felony)
Reckless Homicide (class 3 felony)
“The tragic death of Mr. Giannakakis is another sad example of someone being killed by the reckless actions of another. While nothing will bring Mr. Giannakakis back, I am happy the first step of justice has been taken. Our traffic crash investigators will always hold drunk, drugged, and distracted drivers accountable for their selfish actions.”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
Muzard was arrested in the today, Wedensday morning of December 20, 2023 at his residence by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Team, without incident. Muzard remains held in the Lake County Jail pending First Appearance Court.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— Lake County Sheriff’s Office
BACKGROUND …
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched about 9:50 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2023 to a report of head-on crash on Route 59 south of Route 132, in unincorporated Lake Villa. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located a GMC Acadia and Kia Sorento with major damage.
Both drivers were transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries. The driver of the Kia was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital. The driver of the GMC remained at the hospital in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation showed the GMC Acadia, driven by Muzard, age 74, of unincorporated Lake Villa, was traveling northbound on Route 59. For an unknown reason, the Muzard veered the GMC into the southbound lanes of traffic. The GMC struck the southbound Kia, driven by George V. Giannakakis, of Ingleside in a head-on crash.
Witnesses reported the GMC was swerving prior to the crash, and impairment was suspected early to be a factor in the crash.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office immediately scheduled an autopsy for the driver of the Kia.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
facebook …
Please ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
20240105-1435future
THANKS FOR READING CARDINAL NEWS