Round Lake Beach Man Guilty In Crash That Killed 2

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 54-year-old Round Lake Beach man will be headed to prison after a Lake County jury found him guilty in a crash that killed two women in 2019.

Victor H. Ortiz has been convicted on two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, a class 2 felony; and two counts of aggravated driving with a blood concentration of over .08, a class 2 felony. The jury found Ortiz guilty late Wednesday evening following a three-day trial.

During the trial, medical expert witnesses testified that Ortiz's blood alcohol concentration was nearly three times more than the legal limit of .08 at the time of the collision on June 8, 2019.

Authorities say Ortiz was driving south on Fairfield Road just north of Route 60 in Fremont Township when his van crossed the center line before side wiping a Honda Odyssey and then colliding head on with a Kia.

Two passenger in the Kia, Barbara Gaulke of Ingleside and Sandra Forscht of Round Lake Beach, were pronounced dead at scene.

Following the crash, Ortiz tried to flee to Guatemala. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody by the Chicago Police Department on June 29. He has remained behind bars on a $1 million bail since his arrest.

Ortiz must serve a mandatory 6 to 28 years in prison, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. He is next expected in court on Sept. 15 for a status hearing.

MORE ON PATCH

• Driver In Fatal Fremont Township Crash Arrested: Lake Co. Sheriff