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2 Teens Killed in Crash; 15-Year-Old in Driver's Seat

3 Other Children Critically Injured

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 | Updated 1:44 PM CST

2 Teens Killed in Crash; 15-Year-Old in Driver's Seat

Dick Johnson

Two teens died and three other children were injured in the crash that destroyed this car.

A Monday night crash involving a 15-year-old unlicensed driver left two teens dead and three other young people hospitalized in northwest suburban Long Grove.

Daniel Vicario, 15, of Palatine, and Lilia Bueno, 14, of Streamwood, died from injuries suffered in the crash, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said. Vicario was driving, authorities said.

The teen's Chevy Cobalt was speeding through Long Grove late Monday when the vehicle swerved on and off the roadway before hitting a picket fence, going airborne and hitting several trees, authorities said.

Bueno was pronounced dead at the scene. Vicario died after being airlifted to a hospital.

"We told her, 'Don't go,' but she went" said Bueno's friend, Priscilla Quintero.

Three siblings -- Martin Solis, 15; Luis Solis, 13; and Yareli Mendoza-Solis, 8 -- were also in the SUV. NBC5's Dick Johnson reported that the 15-year-old and 13-year-old siblings were reported to be in good condition as of Tuesday afternoon, while the 8-year-old sibling was in fair condition.

The vehicle belonged to Amy Hinojosa of Palatine. The car was a gift from Hinojosa's mother, Rhonda DeLeon, of Waco, Texas.

Hinojosa stated to investigators that she allowed Vicario, who she said she believed was 18 years old, to use the Cobalt to run an errand.

"To tell you the truth, I used to come here when I was a little kid, when I was 15-14 years old," said Jose Mendoza, a cousin of one of the victims. "I came down this same street."

"He (the driver) went airborne and knocked out (the) mailbox with the steel posts on either side," said Long Grove resident Audrey Sacks. "And then, (he) took out our gate and ended up way down there in the woods."

Johnson reported that the accident was the third such crash in eight years at the same spot on Cuba Road.

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2 Teens Killed in Crash; 15-Year-Old in Driver's Seat