Crime & Safety

Lake County Teen Dies in Drag Racing Crash; 2 Arrested

Deadly drag racing claims Antioch teen's life Monday night in Gurnee.

An Antioch teenager and is dead and two drivers have been charged following a drag racing crash that happened Monday night on Route 120, east of Hunt Club Road in Gurnee, reported the Lake County News-Sun.

Cynthia N. Perez, 16, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a rear passenger in a 2004 Honda Civic that lost control, went airborne, rolled over in a ditch, then landed on the road, according to the newspaper.

Perez was a junior at Antioch High School, reported the Daily Herald.

The drivers of both vehicles, Antioch teenagers, were arrested, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Jeremy A. Betancourt, 17, was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated street racing. He was also cited for driving without a valid driver’s license and driving an uninsured vehicle.

Michael R. Dawson, 19, was charged with aggravated street racing and cited for operating a vehicle with expired registration.

Both drivers are being held on $250,000 bond.


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