A motorcycle passenger that was riding on the back of the motorcycle with an alleged DUI motorcyclist operator has died Wednesday morning, September 4, 2024, about four days after suffering critical injuries in a motorcycle crash.
The identity of the deceased was released by the Lake County Coroner’s Office Thursday morning, September 5, 2024 as 48-year-old Mechelle Hall, of Lindenhurst. Based on preliminary investigation, Ms. Hall’s death is consistent with Blunt Force Injuries as a result of the crash.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched about 8:30 p.m., Saturday, August 31, 2024 to a report of a crash with injuries involving a motorcycle near Route 59 and Diemer Street in unincorporated Antioch. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located a downed 1998 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. They also found a 48-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway.
The woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was transported to Level 1 Trauma Center with critical, life-threatening injuries.
On the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified by staff from Advocate Condell Medical Center that, despite care and treatment, the passenger had succumbed to her injuries. The Lake County Coroner’s Office initiated a death investigation at that time.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies continue investigating a serious traffic crash that occurred on Saturday evening, involving a motorcycle.
INITIAL CARDINAL NEWS REPORT …
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched about approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024 to a report of a to the area of Route 59 and Diemer Street in unincorporated Antioch. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located a downed 1998 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. They also found a 43-year-old woman of Antioch, unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway.
The woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was transported to an area hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.
A Flight for Life helicopter was reported inbound from Burlington Municipal Airport in Wisconsin, and landed near the scene at about 9:00 p.m.
The operator of the motorcycle, Gregory Shaer, 51, of the 25000 block of West Blackstone Place, unincorporated Lake Villa, initially told deputies that he was traveling southbound on Route 59 and swerved to avoid striking a vehicle that turned in front of him, which caused him to lose control of the motorcycle. Shaer did not sustain significant injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies then located a 33-year-old woman of Antioch who said she was traveling northbound on Route 59 in her GMC Acadia, when she was sideswiped by the southbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The driver of the GMC said Shaer swerved into her lane of traffic and sideswiped her vehicle. Evidence was located at the scene consistent with the statement from the driver of the GMC.
Sheriff’s deputies detected signs of alcohol impairment from Shaer. He was subsequently placed under arrest, but refused to provide breath, blood, or a urine sample for analysis. A search warrant was drafted for these samples and a Lake County Judge signed and approved the search warrant. Shaer was transported to a local hospital, where the samples were obtained and sent to the crime laboratory for analysis.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges:
Aggravated DUI – Resulting in Great Bodily Harm (Class 4 Felony)
DUI – Alcohol (Class A Misdemeanor)
Driving in the Wrong Lane of Traffic (Infraction)
Additional charges are possible.
Shaer remains in custody in the Lake County Jail pending First Appearance Court this morning.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Route 59 was closed in both directions south of Beach Grove Road.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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