Family Looks for Answers in Teen's Death; Police Believe Distracted Driving Lead to Fatal Crash

HAMPSHIRE, IL - The family of a 17-year-old Hampshire High School student who died in a traffic crash last week is asking for the public's help in answering questions left when Brianna Soto was killed. Authorities have said distracted driving played a part in the May 4 crash in unincorporated Hampshire Township. The crash also injured five teens, including girls from Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley.

"There are so many unanswered questions as to what happened and how, the family is looking for those answers and also asking if anyone has any info to please come out and speak," Veronica Peralez Puente of Hampshire wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for the Soto family. The fundraising website is meant to raise money to help the family pay for funeral and legal expenses following the crash.

As of Thursday morning, $2,800 has been raised.

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Soto was killed on May 4 following a crash on Dietrich Road between Route 20 and Brier Hills Road in unincorporated Hampshire Township, according to a Kane County Sheriff's Office press release. Authorities were called to the scene at about 8:20 p.m.

Police believe distracted driving may have played a part in the crash that happened when a 2005 Toyota Corolla heading east on Dietrich Road went over a hill and crossed the centerline. The Toyota, which was driven by Soto, hit a westbound 2005 Ford SUV, according to the news release. Both vehicles rolled over with the Ford coming to rest on the north side of Dietrich Road and the Toyota coming to rest on the south side of Dietrich Road.

Soto, of Pingree Grove, was taken to Centegra Medical Center in Huntley where she was pronounced dead. Soto died of blunt trauma to her head and abdomen, McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski said. A passenger in her vehicle, a 17-year-old Pingree Grove girl, was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin for treatment of injuries that are not considered life-threatening, police said.

Four teens in the Ford – a 15-year-old Huntley girl, a 16-year-old Hampshire girl, a 16-year-old Algonquin girl and the driver, a 16-year-old Lake in the Hills girl – were also taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin for treatment of injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to authorities.

Deputies believe Soto was using her cell phone at the time of the crash but are not sure exactly what she was doing on it, Pat Gengler, spokesman for the Kane County Sheriff's Office, told Patch.

Kane County Sheriff’s detectives and members of the Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash, according to a news release. No tickets have been issued as the crash remains under investigation.

All the subjects in the crash were wearing their seat belts at the time of crash.

• 1 Teen Killed, 5 More Injured In 2-Vehicle Crash

Funeral Services for Soto

A funeral mass for Brianna Soto, who was a junior at Hampshire High School, will be held at 10 a.m. on May 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church 10307 Dundee Road in Huntley.

Her family and friends described her as a beautiful and loving girl.

"She had her very own style, she loved make-up, clothes and was very trendy," according to her obituary. "Brianna was a Star Wars fanatic and loved sushi. She was beautiful, and loving, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend. Brianna will be missed by all who knew her."

If you wish to donate to Brianna Soto's family, you can do so here.

Photo caption: Brianna Soto (center)/Photo credit: GoFundMe