Three people died in a single-car accident in Prospect Heights. (CBS)
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS) – The sole survivor of a crash that killed three teenagers in Prospect Heights is now under arrest.
As WBBM Newsradio 780’s Bernie Tafoya reports, Prospect Heights police have arrested the 17-year-old boy and charged him with criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.
The surviving teen has been identified in previous reports as Daniel Ascencio. In a report earlier this week, he credited his seat belt with saving his life when three other friends were killed.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Bernie Tafoya reports
Killed in the crash were Freddy Najera, 16, of Mount Prospect, and Elibeth Solis, 16, and Jessica Ferrera, 15.
Police say Ascencio told them the four teens drank beer and smoked marijuana before the accident, then looked for cars with open doors from which they could steal. One of the girls in the group found a car with its keys inside, and returned with it, the Chicago Tribune reported.
They had intended to drive to another suburb looking for other gang members, but with the car low on gas, they stayed in Prospect Heights, running red lights and speeding the car until the deadly crash, the Tribune reported. The car ended up hitting a tree and splitting in two.
In an earlier interview in the Daily Herald, Ascencio said he was not told the car the group was in was stolen until they were already speeding and it was too late to get out.
5 Comments
As more details emerge, Ascencio doesn’t look as clean as he would have had us originally believe. Where were the parents when this “good boy” was drinking, doing drugs, and involved with a stolen car well after curfew? This used to be a nice area to live in; too bad the residents have allowed the gangs to take over. I hope the judge sends him to jail and orders the parents to pay for ALL the damage because the kids were all guilty.
June 24, 2011 at 6:56 am
This is Cook County. He will not be looking at jail. He will either receive court felony diversion or Restorative Justice. Cook County let go dozens of prosecutors, and attorneys for children. He will be given an I-Bond. Cook County officials care more about a voting block than protecting people. Frankly while 49 States have conceal carry, Cook County continues to coddle it’s criminals. The predatory gang that ransacked Wal-Greens know that the criminal justice system is easy in Cook County.
June 24, 2011 at 10:16 am
Justice Served :) !
June 24, 2011 at 11:40 am
I knew he wasn’t as innocent as he acted. He and the other families should pay for the damage that they caused.
June 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Why isn’t Brook here defending her drunk-drivin’, car-thievin’, gang bangin’ friends?
June 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm