Lake County

Driver Who Caused Deadly 2018 Lake County Crash Was Distracted by Cell Phone: Prosecutors

Gabriel Flores was charged for the deadly Aug. 2018 crash in Beach Park

Investigators have determined a 21-year-old man was distracted by his cell phone when he caused a deadly crash that killed a woman in Aug. 2018 in suburban Lake County, police said on Thursday.

Gabriel Flores, of Park City, Illinois, was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday stemming from the deadly crash on Aug. 10 in Beach Park. 

Flores was driving a Dodge Durango when he hit a 2014 Kia Forte head-on. The driver of the Kia, Stephanie Rojas, 26, of Zion, died one day after the crash. Rojas' two children were also injured. 

One of Rojas' family members posted about the news of the indictment on Facebook, saying "the waiting has been horrendous."

Flores has been charged with four counts of reckless homicide, eight counts of aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily harm and one count of aggravated use of an electronic device while driving.

Following Flores' indictment, his bond was set at $500,000, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Thursday. 

A short time after the accident, one of Rojas’ relatives told NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago that his life would never be the same without her. 

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