Crime & Safety

Carly Rousso Evidence Sealed Until After Trial

Video surveillance and police reports from the Labor Day car crash that killed a Highland Park 5-year-old will not be released until after the woman charged undergoes trial.

A Lake County judge signed an order on Thursday sealing evidence from the Labor Day car crash that resulted in the death of 5-year-old Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Highland Park resident Carly Rousso, 18, pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges for the death of Jaclyn. Rousso was driving eastbound on Central Avenue on Labor Day afternoon . Jaclyn was killed.

Toxicology reports indicate that the compound Difluoroethane was detected in Rousso's blood, according to the grand jury indictment. The compound was found in a commercial cleaning product uncovered in Rousso's car, according to Ken LaRue, the Lake County State's Attorney's Traffic Division chief.

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The evidence that has been sealed off includes video surveillance and police reports, according to the Highland Park News.

"We are just ensuring that she will get a fair trial," LaRue told the Highland Park News.

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If convicted on all charges, Rousso could go to prison for a maximum of 26 years, the Tribune reports. Her trial date has been set for Feb. 1.

The Santos family has also filed a civil suit against Rousso to seek damages. A hearing will be held Dec. 6 to set a trial date, which will likely be sometime in September of 2013.

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