Man Faces Reckless Homicide Charge In Fatal Crash That Killed Son, 5

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Reckless homicide charges have been filed against a 25-year-old Zion man accused of causing a crash while driving under the influence of cannabis with his two young children in the car, police said. His older son, Sy'mere McKnight, 5, of Zion, died in the collision, which happened on Nov. 26, 2024, authorities said.

The younger son, who is 2 years old, sustained "horrific injuries," police said.

This past week, charges were filed against their father, Steven McKnight, Jr., of the 900 block of Countrywood Drive in Zion.

McKnight was driving a Chevrolet Malibu south on Green Bay Road while illegally passing southbound vehicles. The Malibu collided head-on with a GMC Sierra, which was traveling north on Green Bay Road near Hart Street in Beach Park at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2024, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

McKnight's younger son was seated on his lap when emergency crews arrived at the scene. He suffered critical injuries and was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for treatment.

McKnight told authorities no one else was in the vehicle. But deputies later found his older son beneath debris behind the driver's seat, according to the news release.

The boy was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

An investigation into the collision determined McKnight was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. Crash investigators also determined McKnight did not properly restrain either of his sons, or secure them in a car seat, according to the news release.

The driver of the GMC Sierra, a 57-year-old man from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, was also seriously injured in the collision.

McKnight was arrested at his home on July 24 and the following charges have been filed against him: two counts of aggravated driving while under the influence causing death, reckless homicide, endangering the life of a child causing death and four counts of aggravated DUI.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain McKnight while awaiting trial and the court granted that petition, authorities said. McKnight is being held at the LakeCounty Jail and is next expected in court on Aug. 7.