PHOTOS: Male Driver Crashes Pickup Truck into Volkswagen, Utility Pole, and House on South Ave in Unincorporated Spring Grove — Woman in House Trapped Under Truck

Sun May 19, 2019 3:41 pm Police Comments Off

Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and Fox Lake Fire Department firefighter/paramedics responded about 1:45 a.m. Sunday May 19, 2019, to a report of a vehicle crash into a house with injuries in the block of 28900 South Avenue near Westlane Avenue in unincorporated Spring Grove. After crashing into an SUV and a utility police, an alleged reckless motorist dragged a stop sign with the pickup truck into a backyard before entering the rear of the house.

When Lake County sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found a 2009 GMC pick-up truck, which intruded several feet into the home. A 71-year-old female, who was sleeping at the time of the crash, was pinned under the GMC pickup truck. The driver of the GMC, later identified as Talon C. Franz, 28, of the block of 0-99 Oak Hill Colony Street, Fox Lake, fled from the scene on foot, but was apprehended by Lake County Sheriff’s deputies a short time later.

Further investigation discovered witnesses that reported the GMC pickup truck had previously been driven northbound on Route 12 north of North Lake Vista Terrace at a high rate of speed. The driver of the GMC pickup truck crashed into a 2018 Volkswagen SUV that was also northbound. The GMC pickup truck then struck a utility pole on the west side of Route 12, drove through a fence, and struck the home.

Fox Lake Fire Department firefighter/paramedics successfully extricated the 71-year-old female homeowner, and she was transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry with non-life-threatening injuries. A dog and two cats that live in the home were missing after the crash.

The 69-year-old male driver of the Volkswagen and a 67-year-old female passenger in the Volkswagen were also transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry with non-life-threatening injuries. Both people in the Volkswagen are residents of Johnsburg.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies located Franz at his residence and positively identified him as being the driver who caused the crash and fled. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with …

Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Traffic Crash (Class 2 Felony)

Reckless Driving

Failure to Report a Traffic Crash

Improper Lane Usage

Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident

Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Talon C. Franz remains held in the Lake County Jail on $75,000.00 bail. Talon C. Franz is scheduled in Lake County court on May 22, 2019, at 1:30PM in courtroom T110.

Sheriff Idleburg reminds the public all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.