Driver Was On Phone During Crash That Killed Zion Mother: Sheriff

BEACH PARK, IL — The man accused in a deadly car crash in August 2018 was distracted by a device at the time of the crash, according to a release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Gabriel Flores, 21, of Park City, faces several felony charges related to the crash that killed Stephanie Rojas, who was 26 at the time.

According to the release, it was Friday, Aug. 10, around 6 p.m. when Flores was driving a Dodge Durango on Green Bay Road near Nemesis Avenue. He crossed over the median, causing a head-on collision with a Kia Forte, driven by Rojas, whose two children, then ages 8 and 6, were in the car as well, authorities say.

Rojas was critically injured and taken to a hospital where she died the next day.

The 6-year-old boy in Rojas' vehicle was later flown to Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge with critical injuries. He remained in critical condition as of the following Monday morning, police said.

The 8-year-old girl was first taken to Vista Medical Center - East in Waukegan with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to the news release. The girl was also listed in critical condition as of the following Monday morning, authorities said.

Flores is charged with:

• four felony counts of reckless homicide
• eight felony counts of aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily harm
• one felony count of aggravated use of an electronic device while driving

Flores was arrested with a $500,000 bond.

See more on Patch: Mom Killed In Lake Co. Crash Identified