WHEATON, Ill. (CN) - A teenager "huffing an intoxicating compound" killed a kindergartner and injured the girl's mother and brothers by driving over them on a sidewalk - twice - the family claims in court.
The Santos family sued Carly Rousso, 18, in Lake County Court.
The Santos family claims Rousso killed Jaclyn, 5, and seriously injured her brothers Daniel and Juan Carlos, and the children's mother, Modesta, by driving "her Lexus automobile across the center line on Central Avenue in Highland Park and onto the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street."
It was 2:30 in the afternoon on Sept. 3, according to the complaint.
"Just prior to the collision, while driving, defendant Rousso was huffing an intoxicating compound in order to get high," the complaint states. "Plaintiff Modesta Sacramento Jimenez and her three minor children, Jaclyn, Daniel and Juan Carlos, were walking on the sidewalk when defendant's car struck them, and then struck them at least once more when defendant Rousso attempted to move her car. Five year-old Jaclyn died, and Modesta, Daniel, and Juan Carlos were seriously injured."
Police charged Rousso with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence, after she tested positive for difluoroethane, a chemical found in computer duster, CBS News reported.
The family seeks damages on 14 counts, including wrongful death, negligence, willful and wanton conduct, and emotional distress.
They are represented by Robert Baizer with Baizer, Kolar & Lewis, in Highland Park.
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