Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the aid of a Libertyville Police Department drone unit and a Waukegan Police Department K-9 unit, apprehended the driver of a hit-and-run crash that occurred Friday afternoon, April 25, 2025 in Beach Park.
On April 25, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to North Avenue and West Mawman Avenue in Beach Park for a traffic crash with injuries. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and learned four of the five occupants in the at-fault vehicle fled on foot, prior to their arrival.
A preliminary investigation shows a Mitsubishi Outlander, driven by Gilberto Santiago, Jr., 43, of 400 block of East Willow Drive, Round Lake Park, was traveling southbound on North Avenue and veered into the northbound lane of traffic, striking a northbound Nissan Versa, driven by a 70-year-old woman of Zion. The impact of the crash caused a rear door to open and a back seat passenger in the Mitsubishi, a 43-year-old man of Zion, fell out of the car injured. The back seat passenger was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Nissan was also transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
After arriving, sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter around the area to search for Santiago, Jr. and the others who fled. With the assistance of a Waukegan Police Department K9 Team and Libertyville Police Department Drone Operator, Santiago, Jr. was located. One of the passengers of the Mitsubishi was also located. Both Santiago, Jr. and the passenger were uninjured. After an extensive search, the other two that fled from the Mitsubishi were not found.
Santiago, Jr. appeared heavily intoxicated and was transported to the Lake County Jail. After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the incident, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Santiago, Jr…
Aggravated DUI (Class 2 Felony)
Driving While License Revoked (Class 3 Felony)
Aggravated DUI While Driving on a Revoked License (Class 4 Felony)
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)
Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries (Class 4 Felony)
Santiago, Jr. remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing this morning, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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