Charges Possible After ATV Removed From Fatal Crash Scene: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 56-year-old Lake County man is dead after he likely drove while drunk on an ATV and crashed near Spring Grove early Tuesday. Meanwhile, criminal charges are possible against acquaintances of Luthardt who are accused of removing the ATV from the crash scene as a way to hide the fact the man was likely driving under the influence and on a revoked license, police said.

Glenn Luthardt, of unincorporated Spring Grove, was found unconscious and unresponsive in the area of North Lake Shore Drive and Greenwood Avenue in unincorporated Spring Grove at about 1 a.m. after authorities received a report of a person lying on the ground, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Police say a passerby reported an "injured person motionless on the ground," Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy chief Christopher Covelli told Patch Wednesday.

He was taken to Northwestern Hospital in McHenry in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead. Police believe he was lying on the ground for 15 to 30 minutes before the incident was reported, authorities said.

An investigation into the collision also revealed Luthardt had been drinking at a nearby bar, where he tripped and fell, causing some injuries to his face. He left the bar a short time later on his ATV. A witness told police he crossed Grass Lake Road and drove onto Lake Shore Drive, accelerating to a high rate of speed before losing control and being thrown from the ATV, which then landed on top of him.

According to police, an acquaintance, who was following Luthardt, is accused of then lifting the ATV off of him. Additional acquaintances also came to the scene, police said.

When authorities arrived they found Luthardt lying on the ground but no sign of the ATV. Detectives searched the area and found his ATV several hours later in the backyard of home about a half-mile from the scene, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Police believe the acquaintances removed the ATV from the scene because Luthardt was likely driving while under the influence and was driving on a revoked license, according to authorities.

Police say criminal charges are possible, but none have been filed at this point.

"As this involves a fatality, charges will be reviewed with the state’s attorney’s office following a full and complete investigation, which could take weeks to months," Covelli said.