The 18-year-old who drove her car into a Highland Park family on Central Avenue on Labor Day, killing a 5-year-old girl, was charged with one count of reckless homicide and four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound on Wednesday morning, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's office.
Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento: The Story So Far
Carly Rousso surrendered herself before Judge Raymond Collins Wednesday morning, where her bond was set at $500,000. Her bail was posted shortly after. As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Rousso was still in processing, but was set to be released Wednesday evening under the same bond conditions set for her on Tuesday.
On Monday, Sept. 3, at 2:31 p.m., Highland Park police responded to a crash. Investigation revealed that Rousso had driven a Lexus coupe onto the sidewalk on the 700 block of Central Avenue and into 5-year-old Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento, her mother and two brothers. Jaclyn was killed, and her mother and brothers sustained injuries.
Toxicology reports indicate that the compound Difluoroethane was detected in Rousso's blood, which is found in a commercial cleaning product uncovered in Rousso's car.
Rousso's charges come as a result of a joint investigation by the Highland Park Police Department and the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT). The investigation revealed that Rousso was driving eastbound on Central Avenue when she veered across multiple lanes of traffic and onto the sidewalk, striking Modesta Sacramento and her three children.
Rousso was cited for driving under the influence shortly after the crash, at which time she submitted blood and urine samples. Police told Patch earlier this week that Rousso might have been "huffing" from compressed gas canisters or paint thinners before the crash.
"We are investigating the use of huffing agents or huffing materials with relation to this," Deputy Chief of Support Services George Pfutzenreuter told Patch on Monday.
Aggravated driving under the influence is a class two felony that can lead to a prison sentence of three to 14 years. Reckless homicide is a class three felony that can lead to probation or up to five years in prison, according to Lake County Deputy State's Attorney Traffic Division Chief Ken LaRue.
Jaclyn's funeral service was held Tuesday in Highwood. About a hundered people attended the funeral mass, including Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, City Manager David Knapp and Deputy Police Chief Dave Schwarz.
During the bilingual service at Saint James Parish in Highwood, Rev. Thomas Baldonieri called Jaclyn "a joyful child" who enjoyed dressing in pink, like a princess.
"Jaclyn was born and received into loving hands and hearts," Baldonieri said. "Even now, we see just how many people are touched by Jaclyn's life and tragic death, even those who never met her."
Rousso's next court date is on Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
For more news and updates, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.