Man Under Influence Of Cocaine Caused Fatal Crash: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Crystal Lake area man faces felony charges for allegations he drove under the influence of cocaine and caused a crash that killed a 73-year-old Ingleside man earlier this year.

Craig B. Muzard, 74, of the 4000 block of Illinois Street in unincorporated Crystal Lake, has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs resulting in death and reckless homicide for allegations that his drug consumption placed a "direct role in the crash and death of George V. Giannakakis," authorities said Wednesday.

Muzard was taken into custody on Wednesday morning and remains behind bars at the Lake County Jail as he awaits his first court appearance, police said.

Police say Muzard was driving a GMC Acadia north on Route 59 south of Route 132 in unincorporated Lake Villa at about 9:50 p.m. on Feb. 3 when the GMC veered into the southbound lanes of traffic and hit a Kia Sorento head-on, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses told authorities the GMC was swerving prior to the crash.

Giannakakis, the driver of the Kia, was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.