Crystal Lake Woman Accused Of Having ATV Removed From Fatal Crash

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Crystal Lake woman, who is accused of arranging to have an ATV removed from the scene of a fatal crash, was arrested this past week.

Samantha Jacobson, 45, of the 4900 block of Valley View Road in Crystal Lake, was at a bar in the area of North Lake Shore Drive and Greenwood Avenue in unincorporated Spring Grove, with Glen Luthardt, 56, during the early morning hours of Feb. 7 when Luthardt left the bar on his ATV, police said.

According to officials, Jacobson suggested he not drive, but Luthardt left anyway and crashed his ATV not far away. A witness told authorities the collision occurred when he crossed Grass Lake Road onto Lake Shore Drive and accelerated to a high rate of speed before losing control of the ATV.

He was thrown from the ATV and it landed on top of him, the witness told police.

• Charges Possible After ATV Removed From Fatal Crash Scene: Police
  

Jacobson left shortly after Luthardt and happened upon the collision. Police say she then arranged to have the ATV removed from the crash scene and also called 911 to report she'd found Luthardt lying on the ground.

"She called another acquaintance to come to the scene and remove the ATV," said Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli. "Investigators believes she did this, as she did not want Glen to be arrested for driving under the influence or driving with a revoked driver’s license."

Luthardt was transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

When police arrived at the scene, the ATV had been removed. Officials said Jacobson told authorities she was driving down the road and saw Luthardt's body in the roadway. She attempted to make investigators believe Luthardt was not involved in a crash, police said.

Authorities searched the area and found the ATV about a half-mile from the crash scene, according to police.

Jacobson was arrested on a warrant on Tuesday and made her initial court appearance Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

She is next expected in court on Nov. 7.