Reporter, A Crystal Lake Native, Remembered For 'Bright Smile,' Passion For Storytelling

From the Lake & McHenry County Scanner:

By Sam Borcia

A young Florida television news reporter, who grew up in Crystal Lake, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Saturday, her broadcasting company announced.

Jenny Lenzini, 26, began working in July as a reporter for Waterman Broadcasting, which operates NBC2 and ABC7 in southwest Florida.

Lenzini was riding on the back of a motorcycle Saturday afternoon in North Port, Florida when the driver lost control, according to NBC2.

The motorcycle crashed into a tree near Panacea Boulevard & Plantation Boulevard. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lenzini was flown by a medical helicopter to a Sarasota hospital and later died from her injuries, NBC2 reported.

“Her bright smile and passion for storytelling instantly made her a standout reporter in the Southwest Florida market,” said Waterman Broadcasting.

“She was always diligent in her work and made sure you knew how grateful and thankful she was to be reporting in Southwest Florida,” the company said in a statement.

Lenzini started her career at KTIV in Sioux City, Iowa as a weekend anchor and multi-media journalist. Lenzini, who had five siblings, grew up in Crystal Lake.

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“The entire Waterman Broadcasting staff will keep Jenny and her family in our thoughts and prayers. She will be extremely missed,” the company added.

Lisa Spooner, one of Lenzini’s colleagues at NBC2, said in a Facebook post that she was heartbroken by the news.

“A few months ago, I started spending time with Jenny Lenzini. She was a reporter for us. We would go to dinner or chat about ways she could improve in her career. She was even coming over for Thanksgiving. Saturday morning we were at boot camp together. Several hours later, she was gone,” Spooner said.

“I can’t imagine what her family is going through because her work family is grieving tonight. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers, but especially the Lenzini family. RIP, sweet Jenny,” Spooner added.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.