Crime & Safety

DUI, Child Endangerment Charges For Mom After Crash: Police

A 37-year-old Highland Park woman had her two children in her vehicle at the time of the two-vehicle collision, police said.

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A 37-year-old Highland Park mother faces drunken driving charges after she crashed her car into the back of another vehicle on Route 47 near Huntley on Tuesday evening, police said. Melissa E. Sanchez has also been charged with two counts of child endangerment since her two children were in the car with her at the time of the DUI crash, according to a news release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say a 2014 Ford Escape, driven by Sanchez, was headed south on Route 47 when it collided into the back of a 2007 Toyota Tacoma, which was stopped in traffic and waiting to turn east onto Foster Road in unincorporated Huntley, according to the news release.


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Sanchez was taken to Northwestern Hospital in Huntley for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said. Sanchez's two children were in child restraints and in her vehicle at the time of the crash. They were evaluated by paramedics and then turned over to a family member.

The driver of the Toyota, a 23-year-old Union man, was also treated by paramedics and did not receive any further treatment.

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Sanchez is next expected in court on Dec. 10. The Department of Children and Family Services was also notified.

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