Coroner IDs Boy, 5, Killed In Collision

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 5-year-old boy is dead and a 2-year-old boy is in critical condition after a two-vehicle collision in Beach Park Tuesday evening.

Authorities say neither of the children was properly restrained in a car safety seat at the time of the crash on Green Bay Road near Hart Street. The collision happened when a Chevrolet Malibu, driven by a 24-year-old Waukegan man, was traveling south on Green Bay Road and illegally passing other southbound vehicles in the northbound lanes at about 5 p.m.

The Chevrolet collided head-on with a northbound GMC Sierra, driven by a 57-year-old man from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

A 2-year-old boy sitting on the lap of the Chevrolet driver suffered critical injuries and was transported to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

The driver of the Chevrolet told authorities there was no one else in the vehicle, but police found a 5-year-old boy beneath debris behind the driver's seat. The critically injured boy was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The boy has been identified as Sy'mere McKnight, of Zion. On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, an autopsy was conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Sy'mere died from Blunt Force Injuries as a result of the crash.

The deceased has been identified as 5-year-old Sy'mere McKnight, of Zion. Preliminary results from an autopsy show McKnight died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.

Authorities do not believe either child was properly secured in a child safety seat at the time of the crash.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and criminal charges are possible.