way to go Sara and Jessica... a true example of the human spirit of compassion and generosity

What a great initiative!

Thank you,

Sara and Jessica, thank you for providing me a pathway to express my deep sadness.

NO CHARGES? How about reckless homicide? How about adding charges when tox reports show she was F-ed up? Would this be handled the same if the driver was Hispanic and the victim was one of HP's princesses? Is justice blind in Highland Park? Or not?

I have been hearing that none of the people that were an eye witness to this horrible loss of life were not questioned by police for any of their statements, is this true? If so then how can they be investigating! With so many people that had seen this happen is an investigation needed? This person should be in jail. Also I have heard that the reason they had police from some other community there was to protect the driver because of some relation she has, what does that mean? Is her father a police man or a lawyer so she wont be sent to jail at all. And why are they keeping her name a secret? She's an adult at 18 and they print the names of younger people in the police blotter so why not her name? If anybody is going to try to cover this up then they must be monsters, shame on them. What would this be saying about the people in this town if everyone is going to look the other way, what if this were your child? I pray to GOD that this is not what's really going on, and if it is I hope the Sacramento family can find lawyer worthy of their sworn oath to be hired & bring this in front of a jury of people that know the difference between status and justice. They have enough people that had seen this happen. Was the driver even checked for drugs & alcohol? A child has died & a family has changed forever! Nothing can bring Jaclyn back, but justice for her is the RIGHT thing to do! Please is there ANYONE out there who can answer these questions to prove there is no cover up?

Waiting for toxicology reports is prudent in these matters. If charges are filed prematurely that don't reflect criminality, such as improper lane change, defendants can plead guilty to a charge that does not reflect the seriousness of the matter. Once testing is complete, there could be a charge of reckless homicide if alcohol or cocaine were discovered in the blood stream for example. There are numerous causes of crashes that must be looked at: mechanical problems with cars, other cars cutting off drivers, pedestrians running into lanes, texting while driving, DUI, health problems such as black outs, epileptic seizures, and often, diabetic low blood sugar reactions. No matter what the cause, each Highland Park driver could learn from this horrible crash: slow down, search for and identify pedestrians, drive as if your life or other lives depend upon how your operate your vehicle.

And hope they got the cell phone right away too to check for texting, FB, etc. . We drive down central yesterday. With the parking spaces, trees, flower beds, this is just absolutely amazing to learn that the driver crossed a Lane and still ran up on the sidewalk AND backed over. Are you kidding? No witnesses spoke up or were questioned? No holding in jail? No release of ADULT's name?

Backing over would indicate no seizure, blackout to me...and agree about name release. A military dependent did much much less than that and his name AND address printed in the Patch...again, cell phone should be one of first things looked for in accident...and it's great to raise a fund, but the truth and cause of death of a child should be the priority. but don't Pat yourself on the back for it so soon...

Why was the fund goal only 3,000? This is north shore, HP right? So that's why the Pat on the back...why not write an info article as to how people can donate? And further report on the family who lost a child? Where is link to donate, and exactly where/how/who is,money going to?

Seriously people, quit your bitching, Hardy Boys level sluething and severe over-analyzing. A young member of OUR community lost her life, OUR community has rallied and raised over $20,000 in less than 24 hours. Let the authorities do their job, they'll release information as need be.

Let the family and community mourn.

This to me is another example of HP favoritism / cronyism what have you. It had been mentioned that if the driver were hispanic he/she would be held, and I cannot say that I disagree with same. The community has no problem releasing the vics names but not the perp. Really, not even a ticket has been issued. Although people have been crossing double yellow lines in this town so often that I don't think the police even consider it an offense anymore.

We are in day two and no release of the name of the girl who is responsible for this tragedy.
We now must question and rightly presume the name of this girl is being withheld for a reason.
I believe the HP Police Department have now set themselves up for scrutiny and should be investigated to the full measure of our law for their handling of the public's right to know pertinent (public) information regarding this tragic "accident". This has been negated by someone, a few , or many, whom have withheld information for a reason undisclosed to the public. I am sure they have discussed this with their departments "staffed" lawyers.
I believe they will regret their decision in doing so. This will lead to an investigation into department policy regarding "deemed secretive" information and the release of "sensitive to department personnel" or "association with" certain "parties".
Watch when all is exposed those whom will now chose to "retire" or resign". HP Police Department will suffer a long and lingering "Black Eye".
It is sad how the decision of one or a few can now reflect a negative and suspicious aura over an entire and possibly well intentioned police department.
---Semper Fi!

HPPD has already been investigated for racial profiling in 2000 not sure the first investigation did anything. I grew up in HP and love the community but not providing information to its residents is unacceptable. I have walked on that sidewalk a hundred times growing up and I still do with my nephews can't imagine walking on that sidewalk without thinking of this horrible accident. The driver is an adult and her information should have been released by now. http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/Highland_MA.php

I have much regard for the HPK police dept. However, release the girls name. I believe if the tables were turned, we would have read the names,address, and jail cell numbers these people were in. No charges filed yet? C'mon on. What else do you need? She drove into a family and killed an innocent child. And this girl was released from the hospital to go home? This 5 yr little girl went home, to her home in heaven with god. Her family will never watch her grow up, her parents will never send her off to college,let alone walk her down the aisle. Charges need to be filed, and soon. My prayers go out to all involved,escpecially the children.

The decision to delay charging the driver and releasing the name is made by the Lake County State's Attorney's office. Decisions made about prosecuting criminals in Lake County are strictly the responsibility of the Lake State's Attorney, Michael Waller. Not the City of HP and not the HP Police Department.

They are professional prosecutors. Their job is to prepare criminal cases and prosecute them.

But if you want to ask State's Attorney Michael Waller why the driver hasn't been charged yet - why don't you call them and ask them instead of launching into racist conspiracy theories here on the Patch.

Here is their website and contact info: 847.377.3000 http://www.lakecountyil.gov/statesattorney/Pages/default.aspx

Witnesses were questioned and videotaped. The name cannot be released until charges are filed. Charges cannot be filed until all evidence, bloodwork etc comes back and is analyzed. The child's name was released by the family, not the police. If law enforcement doesn't complete the investigation properly, the driver can get off on a technicality. Everyone needs to focus on the family and what they need to begin to heal. The truth will come out in time, and justice will be served.

Theodore I agree, something fishy about this.. Incompetence?? just a thought. Just because one carries a badge and gun does not qualify them to secure a crime scene, evidence gather, and figure out what crimes were committed and move forward. At the bare minimum, the offender should be held until charges are filed etc. Very sad situation for all involved.

Thank you anonymous,it is appreciated. Donations need to be made to help this family out. So,instead of going out for dinner tonight,or buying some frivolous item, the money would be better well spent on helping this grief stricken family. I know il will. Will you all join me in doing the same. We give to the Cancer Fed,and many other charitable organizations. Let's as a community help this family out as well. Let's show them that Character DOES count in HPK.

I would also like to add... why were there TWO Bannockburn police cars on the scene?after the victims were transported away? to gather evidence? I found it quite odd, considering the accident took place here in HP and we had about 8 HP squads and 2 detective undercover cars at the scene. .

Emergency equipment was brought in from neighboring communities. Five people were transported by ambulance. There were different levels/departments of law enforcement brought in do to the severity of the accident. The accident was caught on video camera. There is plenty of evidence people.... let the police and State's Attorneys office do their jobs!

I have contacted the Lake County State's Attorney.
I was provided a e-mail address to voice my outrage for the handling of this case.
Although it is a likely a form e-mail address, I ask that you join me in filling that mailbox with your concerns. Here it is:

statesattorney@lakecountyil.gov

It's great that a memorial fund has been established. However, it is also unfortunate that the focus is now on that, rather than the life of Jaclyn-lost forever. I see her face in the photos..the contours of a sweet baby face, the happy expression of a curious little one w/ pig tales, all the promise and excitement for the future. I see my own child when I look at Jaclyn.I challenge the Patch to put forth a detailed article about the life of this little girl. Tell us who she was! Tell us what she liked! What was her favorite color and food! I want to know all about what was the promise of a wonderful life, stolen from her by the driver's trivial/ momentary pursuits. We need to be reminded of the humanity of one another. We do not see each another anymore. We are self absorbed, fixated on our gadgets, mindlessly staring down at devices, singularly interested in the next high for self gratification. We have to start caring more about each other in honor of Jaclyn. We have to return to a respect for life.

For those of you who think the rest of us are not considering the loss of Jaclyn and letting the family mourn, you couldn't be more wrong. Myself and every person that I have spoke to about this is feeling the pain & loss this family is going through. Our anger is being feed by the fact that police did not ask for names of people to witness this crime or take statements. What is that telling you? It tells us there is no intention to do anything about this! The first thing to do is to ask every witness what happened while it's still fresh in them memory, not that anyone that saw this will ever forget it. All of us that are angry about this is letting the family know we care, and that we won't let this go & we are there to back them up. For those of you that have high regards & respect for the HP police I hope you are right, and they will PROVE to us all that they will do the right thing. We should of heard something by now about the driver & any charges she will face.

What good does it do to point fingers at the police or make comments about racial profiling? The focus should be on the lost life, hopes and dreams of a beautiful innocent child whose family shall forever be sad. We have joined together as a community to offer this fund because we feel helpless in how to support them. I think it says alot about our community that people are able to reach out and join together to make someone else's life somewhat bearable during crisis and tragedy. Wonderful idea Jessica and Sara for establishing this fund.
May Jaclyn's memory be for a blessing.

Annonymous, the night after the accident there were many people at the memorial spot where quite a few people that saw the accident happen and they said that the police did not question them. I'm very happy to hear that at least some of them made statements, but this is the first I time I heard someone like yourself say they saw them asking people. But why not all of them? I don't see anyone making comments claiming to be an expert about the law, but you don't need to be a police officer or a lawyer to know basic laws, it's just common sense. You shouldn't take this so personally & hurtful as you claim it is, I get the feeling you might be in law yourself somehow. And if you are this is not ment to attack anyone it is just FACT what was said by these people about NOT being questioned. Everyone has the right to speak how they feel about this sad story, I'm happy to say I did not get to witness this when it happened but did see all the police and people standing around when I drove by not knowing what happened until I got home that day. Like everyone else we want to know why this woman was not charged at the accident and arrested. I have found out information about the driver that I know legally I can't talk about because it has not been proven yet but it did come from people that personally know her I was told. We all just want to make sure that what happened to Jaclyn wont be swept under a rug in our legal system that many of us know does happen in this cruel world.

I have heard through the great grapevine of HP of who the 18 year girl was and yes she has a family in HP that will try to keep this very hush hush. She is a very troubled girl (not an excuse made for her) who has a history that her family has covered up in the past but now that she is 18, it is very unlikely that they will continue to be able to. Her family is well known in HP so I am very sure that is why her name or photo has been released.

I completely agree that she should have been released from the hospital and then sent to the police department because everyone knows that if the driver was any other race, sex or of different class, he/she would have spent the night in jail and charges would have been filed! They had sent this girl away before because of her past and I can see them doing it again.Such a tradgity that kids/young adults in HP don't see that their actions do come with consequences. I know this simply because I grew up and live there and have dealt with many teens in the community who do anything just because they know they will and can get away with it because of their last name or because their parents will bail them out.

There is a walk for the little girl tomorrow night starting at 6pm from the metra station in Highwood to where the incident took place. Please join this peaceful walk in memory of the little girl. Thanks.

Thank you Steve S. for sharing that website update, at least now I know something is being done. Everyone should go on it for themselves to see it. And for the 17 year old Deerfield student who jumped out of his car to help, I want to thank you for being so brave as to help the family and please come forward so we all know who you are and if you choose not to I totally understand but thank you again for being so brave like that!

If anyone was wondering, the driver of the car was Carly Rousso. She was recently in rehab for unknown reasons....

I witnessed the tragic accident. I immediately called 911 and pulled over to help. I gave a written statement and verbal statement at the scene and was asked to remain there for several hours which I did. I chose not to be there Monday evening when all the news crews showed up. I was contacted by a Lake County homicide detective first thing monday morning and asked to come in to the station to videotape my account of the accident, which I (and several others) did. This isn't about race or money, it is about procedure and making sure that the case and charges filed are rock solid. This case is way bigger than the HPPD. More then we could possibly know is being done by law enforcement. Donating to the fund is a way for those of us who feel completely helpless, do something to ease this family's burden. Nothing can ease their pain or bring beautiful Jaclyn back.

John,
Is that the Rousso family that is deeply involved in the Arts Center?
If so, they are in various financial deals with the city of Highland Park and the father is a political player.
Does that explain the protection of the driver?

Whoa......!!!!

Well that explains alot... Sickening. I am disgusted.

yes indeed that is the word on the street her name,, also there are "rumors" about what the tox may reveal- Again hear say that the car was a bday gift?

Jacob, did you get the press release from the Mayor?

Mayor Rotering has issued a statement regarding the handling of the driver's identity:

http://www.cityhpil.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=123

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/09/05/Highland-Park-Mayor-Frustrated-by-Deadly-Crash-Investigation/

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) — Police have cited an 18-year-old woman with the offense of driving while intoxicated in connection with a Labor Day accident in Highland Park that killed a 5-year-old girl, but the mayor suggests the driver has been treated too leniently.

Carly A. Rousso of Highland Park is expected to appear in court Sept. 21 at the Lake County Courthouse, the city said in a news release issued Wednesday. Rousso allegedly was operating a Lexus that struck Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento at 2:30 p.m. Monday as the girl was walking with her mother and two younger brothers on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road.

Here is the piece from the Chicago Tribune.
I am disappointed to hear that this is only a misdemeanor. That is sickening. We must ask for more from our city and the HPPD.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-highland-park-teen-charged-in-traffic-death-of-5yearold-20120905,0,582795.story

All of the Highland Parkers know her name and soon it will be public info, my concerns are for the victims, they can have other issues like lets hope they are here legally. I dont mean to sound nasty but many of my son's friends are not legally, sad but true,,,

A misdemeanor for the death of a child... Now I have heard it all- This is screwed up!

“ until toxicology results along with other evidence is evaluated . . . Additional charges will be pending.” Did you not bother to read the third paragraph?

Of course a misdemeanor is not enough. She killed a person she obviously is going to be charged for the crime.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/09/05/highland-park-mayor-frustrated-by-deadly-crash-investigation/

Hey I think Carly should start workin out. She'd be better off as strong as possible once you hit the joint. Maybe you're dad can getcha some steroids with some of those connections he probably has so that can help ya speed up the process. I'm sure the roids won't be worse that the crap she was doin when she slammed into the innocent people walking on the sidewalk. I bet she's gettin wasted right now. I mean she's free isn't she? So she can do just about anything now. It's obvious she's a wastaholic. She could get wasted and go to Walgreens anytime she wants. What a joke she's not in custody. Way to go Lake County and HPPD. You just forgot bro get rid of the skunk before it started stinking up the whole system. Nice job.

No one in Highland Park walks unscathed from this tragedy.Jaclyn, her mother and family are sadly, victims. Carly's family and Carly are grieving.Does each writer to the Patch believe they could not cause this tragedy, do they avoid texting 100%, do they always obey the speed limit? I doubt it!.But, any of us could suddenly be in handcuffs because drivers in Highland Park are often careless, texting, talking on cell phones, speedy and oblivious to others. That's a multi-ton metal machine capable of 100 mph we're operating.Our local driving culture is obviously anti-social, pedestrians and other drivers are considered hindrances, not vulnerable human beings.Writers to the Patch tell of the teenage consumption of alcohol and drugs in and around Deerfield and Highland Park, it's a wonder there are not more similar bloody events.And what about the future victims, us, those who have not yet been crashed into by drivers who commonly speed, cloud up their minds with substances, text, talk on cell phones and whisk thru stop signs?Drivers need to realize the weapon underneath them can leave permanent scars.We could all learn from this tragedy:make driving a thoughtful, safe and caring act, not a fast, furious, substance clouded, cell phone, texting or mindless sprint.

Yes, the cops took their time. But this is not television, accident scenes require close analysis. Identifying a driver can be difficult especially when a driver is found outside a damaged vehicle. Could there have been another driver who walked away? Was there another vehicle involved who cut off the driver? Did the driver consume substances after the crash? It happens. Each step in an investigation must be taken carefully, it's like surgery. Imagine if the police made serious errors in this investigation, the community would be even more angry. Our attention should be on the victims and the future, so that this does not happen again, but, google 'crash' 'dui' 'teen', it happens way too often.

anyone else notice how many comments they deleted? like all the ones that cited her tweet about drunk driving. wow nice one patch...

Besides the loss of a beautiful innocent child and the stark reminder of how alleged substance abuse can fatally pounce on and tear us apart in a moment's notice, I am now aware of the bountiful 'hate' some in our community possess. Maybe it should be expected, millionaires sharing the same schools and roads with newly arrived citizens and workers from a less fortunate country. It should behoove all of us to recognize this animosity, define it and work to eradicate it. From personal experience, I have found Latinos some of the most polite, trustworthy and diligent individuals. Perhaps some in the community don't share my thoughts, maybe they could consider some changes. I know that our school system bends over backwards to accommodate and educate those whose needs require extra help, I've seen it. From a future looking and optimistic perspective, it would be a "gift" if those writing to this blog provide the community with specific recommendations that could benefit those in need. Alleging discrimination, writing hateful racist and messages may serve to ventilate past grievances but will do little to promote change. Each person's family at one time was a victim of hate, racism or injustice.No family is scar free.But, which works better for human beings, screaming vengeance, writing hate or a workable plan for fairness?Many HP people work to end poverty and reduce discrimination, we feel the murderous regimes in our past, we're not all evil.

Wow, Lou.

I've read just about every comment on the four or more Patch articles regarding this horrendous tragedy and I'm pretty sure not one of them has been negative towards Latinos. Frankly, it seems most of the "anti" comments have been anti-white and disparaging towards those with certain degrees of wealth. Not sure which comments you've been reading, but if I'm wrong please let me know. Until then, I'll just sit here completely offended by your remarks.

Samantha: Anti-white and anti Jewish comments. What does being Jewish have to do with any of this, or, do you see a connection???? Maybe you should read these blogs a little closer.

Kristy
1:21 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
Oh gosh, I sure do love seeing white privilege play out. *SARCASM*
If the driver were a minority teenager who hit a little white girl in Highland Park, I think the reaction and punishment would be much more swift and severe.

He is a CEO of some data biz, mom is involved in the North Shore Jewish community.

Is being Jewish a race or a religion? I truly have wondered about this. Obviously, Israel is the Holy land of Jesus so there must be Christians living there, so what would they be called?

I know I'm off topic, but would like to know.