McHenry County Blog

A press release has come from the Crystal Lake Police Department concerning the morning activity on Uteg Street.  It follows:

On October 31, 2012, at 9:01 a.m., the Crystal Lake Police were contacted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center concerning a troubled individual, who was believed to be calling from within the Crystal Lake City limits.

It was also reported that the caller was armed with a handgun and contemplating suicide.

Working in conjunction with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Dispatch, Crystal Lake Police were able to determine that the subject was visiting the home of a friend in the 200 block of Uteg Street, in Crystal Lake.

Due to the seriousness of this incident, the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Emergency Services Team was activated.  A 10-man response team began to assemble at the corner of Union and 2^nd Court.

Uniformed officers secured a perimeter surrounding the neighborhood to prevent anyone from entering the area.

Once the area was contained, Crystal Lake Police Negotiators made contact with the individual by cellular telephone.

The subject surrendered himself to Police without incident and he was subsequently transported to Woodstock Hospital for an evaluation.

His initial report of being armed was determined to be false.

No injuries were sustained to anyone involved in this incident.

The subject’s identity is not being released due to HIPPA Privacy Rules, which protect the privacy of individuals and any identifiable health issues or information.

A source tells McHenry County Blog that the Hampton Court Apartments on Uteg Street in Crystal Lake were the subject of a lot of police activity this morning.

There was a police blockade of the street.

A SWAT Team was out.

“There are tons of cops and cop vehicles all over the place,” my source emailed at 10:30.

“They have been congregating on Second Street since early morning.

“Uteg St is blocked off from Second to the end of the block on College.”

Elementary School District 47′s Donn Mendoza sent out this message at 11 AM, which seems related to the police activity on Uteg:

Dear District 47 Families:

Please be advised that District 47 was contacted directly at 10:05am today by the Crystal Lake Police Department and informed that they were dealing with a suspicious incident of significance close to the Burger King on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

Upon hearing this, all District 47 schools were instructed to keep all students and staff indoors and to ensure that the common practice of securing and locking exterior doors remained in effect until further notice.

At 10:35 am, we were informed by the police department that the incident had been taken care of. All District 47 schools were then given approval to resume school activities as they normally would for the remainder of the day.

At 2 PM Crystal Lake Central High School Principal Steve Olson sent the following email:

I am writing to inform you of a situation near Crystal Lake Central that transpired this morning. Crystal Lake Police informed us of a situation in the neighborhood near CLC. Working with our school resource officer, we went into a “code yellow lockdown” while police worked to resolve the issue. In a “code yellow,” students are allowed to move between classes; however, no one is allowed to enter or exit the building. This morning’s situation was resolved by Crystal Lake Police quickly, and we believe that at no time were students in danger.

Please be aware that in the rare instance when situations like this arise, we normally send out an automated phone message and email. Today, however, the situation was resolved quicker than we could send out the automated call. Still, because we believe it is important to keep you informed of experiences that are out of the ordinary for your child, I am contacting you by email.

To ensure that you receive future automated emails and phone messages, please verify that your phone numbers and email address are correct in Skyward Family Access.

I prefer grade school district Superintendent Donn Mendozza’s approach.

A press release from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi:

TAMMY NEWSOME SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Tammy Newsome, 49, of Lake in the Hills, was sentenced today to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the class 2 felony offense of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

The Defendant pled guilty in May to driving on McHenry Avenue and Randall Road, near Crystal Lake, while under the influence of alcohol.

When officers attempted to stop her, she fled, but was apprehended at Alexandra Boulevard.

In sentencing her to the Department of Corrections, the Court declined to impose the minimum three-year term. Instead, the Court found that the defendant’s conduct posed a serious risk of harm to the officers involved in her pursuit, and that a lesser sentence would threaten public safety.

This case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Ciesielski.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT APPLIES FOR INITIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive Monday, October 1, 2012 to examine all aspects of the Crystal Lake Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief David Linder announced today.

Verification by the team that the Crystal Lake Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of the voluntary process to attain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

If successful, the Crystal Lake Police Department will be only the fourth agency in McHenry County to attain this recognition.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 beginning at 4:00 p.m.

The session will be conducted at the City of Crystal Lake Municipal Complex, City Council Chambers, located at 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call (815) 444-5960 on October 2, 2012 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Comments will be taken during those hours by the members of the Assessment Team.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. A copy of the standards is available at the City of Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Please contact Commander Brian Karr at 815-356-3769 for an appointment.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the City of Crystal Lake Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

The City of Crystal Lake Police Department’s CALEA Accreditation Assessment Manager is Karen Shepard. She has assigned the following law enforcement professionals from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:

Team Leader: Chief Douglas Knight, Vandalia, Ohio Police Department.

Team Member: Chief Debra Duncan, Monroe, North Carolina Police Department.

Once the CALEA assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency will be granted accredited status.

Under the direction of Chief David Linder the Crystal Lake CALEA Accreditation process is under the management of Commander Brian Karr. Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was originally accredited.

For more information on the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc (CALEA), please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225; or email calea@calea.org.

Primary Contact: Commander Brian Karr, Accreditation Manager 815-356-3769

press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – McHenry Ave at Barlina Road

On Monday, August 27, 2012 at approximately 4:36 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on McHenry Avenue between Monterey Drive and Dartmoor Drive involving a vehicle roll-over.

Upon arrival Officers determined the crash to involve a single vehicle, a 2003 Jeep Liberty, owned and operated by Heather Burris (22) of Algonquin, Illinois.

Paramedics evaluated Burris’ injuries, which were determined to not be life-threatening, but required immediate medical attention.

Fire Rescue Command determined the appropriate method of transport would be by air.

A REACT helicopter from Rockford was summoned, and transported Burris to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further evaluation and treatment.

Initial investigation revealed Burris had been southbound on McHenry Avenue, when her vehicle left the roadway on the west side parkway striking a mailbox and support post.

The vehicle then continued completely off of the roadway, and rolled on to its roof. Burris was able to exit the vehicle on her own.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to Burris, removed the vehicle and debris, and secured an appropriate landing zone.

Traffic was diverted from the area for over an hour.

This incident remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrests in Barn Fires Investigation

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of two 17 year old males responsible for multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area.

Since May 29, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office has experienced six fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane and Boone Counties and Lakewood have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions.

An anonymous tip from the public resulted in the identification of two suspects.

The two males were interviewed on Friday, August 10, 2012 and admitted to their involvement with the fires along with multiple criminal acts within the City of Crystal Lake.

The fires covered a span of over sixty days and over an estimated one million dollars in property damage.

The two suspects have been charged as adults for

• arson
• criminal damage to propert
• criminal trespass to property

for five fires.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Along with the Sheriff’s Office,

• Crystal Lake PD
• McHenry County Conservation Police
• Huntley PD
• Algonquin PD
• Cary PD
• Crystal Lake Fire
• Woodstock Fire
• Algonquin Fire
• Marengo Fire
• Huntley Fire
• SEECOM
• ATF,and
• the Illinois State Fire Marshall

assisted in the investigation.

Following is a list of the fires the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has linked to the 17 year olds:

• 13900 Block of Harmony Rd., Marengo (sic) Date of Fire: 06/29/2012 10:36 P.M.
• 13900 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock Date of Fire: 07/10/2012 10:06 P.M.
• 11800 Block of Pleasant Valley, Rd., Lakewood Date of Fire: 07/03/2012 9:59 P.M.
• 2500 Block of River Rd., Marengo Date of Fire: 07/23/2012 11:25 A.M.
• 9800 Block of Lucas Rd., Crystal Lake Date of Fire: 07/24/2012 9:20 P.M.

Arrested: Charges:
Joseph Gerdes, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
868 Coventry Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)

Andrew Wiegand, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
1472 Bridgedale Rd Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)

The charges against the above named defendants are merely allegations against him. The above named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

= = = = =
The Crystal Lake Police Department adds this information:
“On August 11, 2012, Crystal Lake Police were notified by McHenry County Sheriff’s of two juvenile subjects that were in custody for a series of barn fires surrounding the McHenry County area, including a barn fire on Lucas Road that was within the Crystal Lake City limits.

“Working in conjunction with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Crystal Lake Police were able to establish that the same two subjects were also responsible for setting fire to

• a couch that was left out for trash removal on the parkway in the 1300 block of Loch Lomond Drive and
• a mattress set on fire that was also left out on the parkway in the 1400 block of Candlewood Drive.

“Both fires occurred during the evening hours of June 12, 2012.

“Additionally, Crystal Lake Police also were able to link the two subjects to five separate acts of Tampering with a Fire Hydrant (Class B Misdemeanors) on Bedford Drive and Sutherland Drive where five fire hydrants were opened, all within residential neighborhoods. These incidents occurred on June 26, 2012, during the evening hours.

“Crystal Lake Police will review these additional findings with the McHenry County State’s Attorney Office regarding criminal charges.

“Both male juveniles are residents of Crystal Lake.”

With its Home Rule powers, the Crystal Lake City Council signaled a majority is ready to change possession of up to thirty joints from a criminal to a civil offense.

Mayor Aaron Shepley led the opposition with Councilwomen Cathy Ferguson, a social worker, bringing her day job experience to bear.  Joining the three in opposition was Brett Hopkins, who said he saw it “in terms of black and white.”

The proposal, basically to decriminalize marijuana, following the example set by Chicago last month, was presented by Crystal Lake Police Chief Dave Linder after testimony from opponents and proponents.

His proposal “to allow Police to issue tickets for possession of small amounts of cannibals” was based on cost savings to the Department.

He pointed to Woodstock and McHenry as two local cities who had already gone the civil violation route.

Linder insisted his proposal “doesn’t represent softening of Police Department attitude toward drug enforcement,” but would “allow more flexibility…a more efficient option.”

Mayor Shepley came loaded for bear.

While complementing the Chief for bringing forth a proposal that the Chief thought would make law enforcement more efficient,” Shepley said that “at the end of the day what we have a a good old fashioned policy decision in a way that could have consequences.”

He then played show and tell, holding up two jars of parsley containing a total of 28 grams.  Possession of more than 30 grams would still be a felony, but in Crystal Lake, if the ordinance passes, the possessor would get a ticket.

“That is not a small amount,” Shepley argued.

Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller, one of three members of the CLCHS  Class of 1981, according to classmate Shepley (the other being Hopkins), said,”You could make a lot more thar 20 [joints].

“We’re not going to go soft on drugs,” Linder interjected.  “It gives the officer the availability to use another [option].  We do the same thing for alcohol, synthetic drugs [and] disorderly conduct.  In terms of time management, it’s not fiscally responsible [to arrest people for possession under 30 grams].”

Linder that a large percentage of misdemeanor charges were dismissed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney to which Shepley that perhaps Crystal Lake officials “need to have a discussion with the State’s Attorney’s Office.”

The Mayor also pointed out that the State had no criminal offense for synthetic drugs, so Crystal Lake’s passage of a ticketing offense was more stringent than state law, not less, as the issuing of tickets for marijuana would be.

Comparing ticketing for underage use of alcohol to Lidner’s proposal, Shepley drew a distinction between a drug which is legal for those over 21 and one “our legislature has determined that no matter how old you are you can’t have it.

“My fear with this is that we’re sending a message.

“If you are smart [enough] not to carry more than a certain amount of drugs, there is no possibility of jail time.

“I’m not in favor of this,” Shepley concluded.

Next up was Cathy Ferguson.

She zeroed in on arguments that it would cover “youthful indiscretions.”

“This does not cover juvenile cases, right?”

Linder agreed.

Ferguson, who works as a social worker, explained, “I treat kids with substance abuse.  I’m seeing these gets getting their drugs from their parents.

“I agree with you in principle, Aaron, that we’re sending a [bad] message.

“Marijuana of today is not the marijuana [of my youth].  A lot of other substances are cut into marijuana.

“When I look at statements that marijuana hurts no one [asserted by one proponent to the Council], that’s a falsehood.

“I prefer there be jail time attached.”

Ferguson then went after the discretion that the ordinance gives police officers.

“[For] one joint jail time is not warranted.

“Thirty joints deserves jail time.

“There’s too much wiggle room [in the ordinance."

Introducing a new aspect was Ralph Dawson.

“Nothing I’ve seen that David [Linder] has presented that the Department’s doing this for monetary reasons,” he said.

“I believe it will give a lot of people a second chance,” he continued.

“I see nothing negative here…better than hitting [youth] over the head.”

“Actually, I was going to move this to [be] discussion only,” Brett Hopkins said.

“It’s a difficult subject.  I’m pretty black and white.  The drugs are illegal. End of story.”

He compares it with enforcement of the sign ordinance.

Carolyn Schofield was next.

“I don’t think this stems from a moral issue.

“If it helps the Police Department–I really believe in him–I want to support him in this,” Schofield said.

The last to express his opinion was Jeff Thorsen.

“I think the Chief is the expert on the situation.

“We do have the right to put this into play.

“We set the law.

“Discretion – they think about that everyday.

I don’t thing a $500 to a $1,000 penalty is a minor penalty.

“If the Chief thinks we’re pulling one-third of our officers off the street, the [Chief is making sense].”

In rebuttal to Schofield, who had argued that consequences are not going to change what people do, Shepley observed, “That’s hat our criminal system is all about..  I would respectfully disagree.

“I think it’s absolutely the wrong way to go.”

He pointed out that he has been “insistent with things we have done to preserve the character of Crystal Lake.”

Mueller pointed out that the Council had “changed possession of liquor possession.”

Shepley repeated his argument that liquor was a legal drug, while marijuana was not.

Ferguson also weighed in on the “consequences” debate.

She pointed to why people pay income taxes.

“It comes down to no one wants to mess with them.”

“I’m trying to keep a level playing field.  If you have a better lawyer, you have a better chance of getting off.”

She repeated her concern that there was too much “wiggle room.”

Before the Council voted, Schofield expressed the opinion that the Council could “look at different levels.”

The first motion was to kill the ordinance.

Shepley, Ferguson and Hopkins voted to keep the status quo.

Mueller, Dawson, Schofield and Thorsen voted to change the criminal penalties to civil ones.

Then Mueller seemed to second Schofield’s idea to lower the threshold for a pot ticket.  She suggested 15.

After than the Council agreed to table the proposal until the Police Department had a chance to consider the consequences of some in between proposal.

The Northwest Herald’s article about the Crystal Lake City Council’s lessening marijuana penalties and redirecting fines to city coffers from the county treasurer has raised the ire of local government observer Paul Greenlee. His letter to the Mayor and City Council follows:

Mayor Shepley and members of the City Council:

I was thinking over the weekend that it would be good for me to attend an upcoming City Council meeting.

I have been a sharp critic of the Mayor and many on the council in a number of different forums. However, I wanted to pass on kudos to you in public for some of your recent decisions.

I appreciate your effort to not allow Crystal Lake to transform into “Pottersville” in “It’s A Wonderful Life” by keeping things like pawn shops off the main shopping areas.

After all, there are a number of easily accessible store fronts in areas in town where these businesses could set up and be successful. (I think the cash for gold shops also should qualify for this, but I also understand things like current leases for existing businesses was just one need to be consider).

I was also extremely grateful that you have resisted the urge that has overcome lesser communities such as McHenry in your opposition to video gambling. (Yes, lesser in that such an endorsement embraces values and opens the door to practices not befitting McHenry or any other good town).

Between the element to which that practice appeals as well as the adverse consequence in making such gambling so easily available, this also was a wise decision.

Given some comments elsewhere, it almost qualifies as a bold statement, especially with the temptation to a community to add to its revenue.

I am glad that you have not sold some of the moral fiber of Crystal Lake for a bowl of pottage.

You also deserve sincere credit for your recent annexation of property prohibiting the erecting of a large and obnoxious billboard on the eastern edge of town. I concur with the thoughts this would have been an eyesore and also had the potential to cause safety concerns through creating distractions. Again, I express my appreciation for that as well.

So I was thinking of coming and expressing thanks to you for your good work in these areas.

I think a public acknowledgement of a good job, especially from a critic, should be made. It keeps dialogue from digressing and allows us to build on a common ground for the good of the community.

However, this morning’s [Northwest Herald] article about your consideration of decriminalization of marijuana in Crystal Lake concerns me that your good work will be set back should you accept the recommendations made in this area.

I respect what Chief Linder’s concerns and interests are in this area. He wants to ensure that he can bring maximum resources to bear on his priorities.

I also appreciate Mayor Shepley’s comments recognizing that this is not a cut and dried issue and needs discussion.

As a resident of the community, I need to add my voice to the discussion and I cannot support this change in law enforcement.

Marijuana use does not qualify as a “mistake” someone made in their past. This can be an addictive substance in the same vein as alcohol. It can lead to use of more potent drugs. It is a substance more easily passed around by under aged users, such as teenagers.

The less penalty that is involved with it, the more available it is.

The more available it is, the more likely it is to be used and even promoted in the high schools (there is a bad pun to make there, but I am trying to be serious) and even the middle schools.

It is more easily concealed than alcohol.

I am concerned that it will be easier for someone to use marijuana while operating a vehicle than alcohol.

Yet will their judgment also be impaired?

Of course it will.

It is another easy to use substance that will only have more potential to harm innocent people.

And based on the first impression of this request, it seems there will be less of a penalty for someone driving impaired by marijuana than by someone impaired by alcohol.

I also note that part of the genesis of this idea is to allow the CLPD to concentrate on more serious crimes by concentrating on less serious issues.

I think the article mentioned we would be talking about 50 fewer cases a year.

Are we going to free up our law enforcement resources by removing from them what amounts to ONE TICKET A WEEK?

I also would suggest that as decriminalization of marijuana makes it more available, you are asking for an increase in crimes and the need for police involvement.

I don’t mean people shoplifting Fritos or getting speeding tickets while going to Taco Bell.

Finally, to me it is a morals and values issue.

I went to Northern Illinois University, albeit many years ago.

I have to tell you that not everyone who attends college uses marijuana.

Not everyone who goes to college drinks.

I did not do either, nor do I do so now.

I think it is wrong to say that the use of pot is a “youthful indiscretion”.

Name for me any indiscretion that does not have future consequences.

There is a moral stigma to drugs and it is for good reason.

Easy acceptance of substances such as marijuana does not represent the community I moved into four years ago.

In response to recent violent acts and open embracement of many abhorrent practices, there is a picture circulating on Facebook.

It shows a scene from “The Andy Griffith Show”, father and son in that familiar scene as they walk together to go fishing.

In that picture is the caption “We need more Mayberry and less Jersey Shore.”

I could not agree more.

If you also agree, you will reject the suggestion to decriminalize marijuana.

Paul Greenlee

= = = = =
Crystal Lake City Council meets at 7:30 tonight, August 7th.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Arrest made in Crystal Lake Robbery

On Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 at approximately 4:14 p.m., Crystal Lake Police were dispatched to a report of a Robbery which occurred at the Cody’s Farm Fresh Stand, located on the property of 140 South Virginia Street, Crystal Lake.

Upon arrival Officers met with the employee of Cody’s.

The employee advised he was approached by the suspect, who displayed a knife, demanding money, and implied the imminent use of force.

The employee then provided the suspect with cash from the day’s sales.

A description of the suspect was provided, and with the assistance of witnesses, a suspect was soon located.

Police obtained a search warrant for a room at the nearby Crystal Lake Motel, which upon execution revealed evidence further linking the suspect to the incident.

Amy M. Migliorato (28) of 5 Arrowhead Drive, Algonquin, IL was arrested and charged with one count of Robbery, a class 2 Felony, in violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 720 Act 5 Section 18-1.

Unable to post the required bond, Migliorato was transferred to the McHenry County Jail.

Her next court appearance reference this incident is scheduled for August 10th, 2012 at 9:00 AM, at the McHenry County Courthouse.

(This offender was not processed at Crystal Lake Police Headquarters, thus a mug-shot photograph is not available from this agency)

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

CARRIE GIL SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE OFFENSES OF ATTEMPT FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ARSON

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Carrie Gil, 46, formerly of Crystal Lake, was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Attempt 1st Degree Murder and 12 years for the offense of Aggravated Arson.

This case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police and Fire Departments with assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Illinois State Police provided experts to explain the use of an accelerant to start the fire and to associate paint from inside the residence to graffiti on the garage and screen doors outside the house.

The investigation also revealed multiple death spells within the defendant’s laptop computer which matched verbatim with handwritten notes linked to the defendant by a forensic document examiner from the Illinois State Police.

The case was prosecuted by David Johnston and Sharyl Eisenstein of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The sentences will run concurrently and the Defendant will be required to serve 85 % of the sentencing term pursuant to truth in sentencing provisions.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – Rt. 14 @ Pingree Road

On Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at approximately 12:14 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on Rt. 14 near Pingree Road.

Upon arrival it was determined four vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction traffic crash, in one of two eastbound lanes.

Paramedics evaluated all parties involved, and transported a total of three passengers from two of the vehicles. Passenger injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but serious enough to require immediate medical attention.

Initial investigation has determined that Colleen Mantor (43) of McHenry, IL, while driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, collided with the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Tribute, operated by Luen Toy (67) of Wonder Lake, IL, which had been stopped within the traffic lane.

This collision resulted in the Chevrolet striking the vehicle ahead of it, a 2006 Toyota, operated by Mary Dyra (47) of Prairie Grove, IL, which in turn struck a 2008 Honda, operated by Renee Shopp (59) of Island Lake, IL.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to the injured, and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

The traffic lights were set to four-way flashing red to aid in traffic control.

While Rt. 14 was not shut down completely, traffic was reduced to one lane in either direction for nearly one hour.

After the involved vehicles were removed, the traffic control lights failed to re-set, resulting in another hour of manual direction until a maintenance crew arrived and repairs were made.

Colleen Mantor was cited on-scene for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident (Illinois Compiled Statutes 625ILCS5/11-601(A)) and released, pending a court appearance.