Crime & Safety

Rousso Charged with Reckless Homicide, Aggravated DUI; Bail Set at $500K

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office has charged the 18-year-old who drove into a family on Labor Day, killing a 5-year-old girl, with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of reckless homicide.

The 18-year-old who , , was charged with one count of reckless homicide and four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound on Wednesday morning, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's office.

Carly Rousso surrendered herself before Judge Raymond Collins Wednesday morning, where her bail was set at $500,000.

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On Monday, Sept. 3, at 2:31 p.m., Highland Park police responded to a crash. Investigation revealed that Rousso had driven a Lexus coupe onto the sidewalk on the 700 block of Central Avenue and into , her mother and two brothers. Jaclyn was killed, and her mother and brothers sustained injuries. 

Toxicology reports indicate that the compound Difluoroethane was detected in Rousso's blood, which is found in a commercial cleaning product uncovered in Rousso's car.

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Rousso's charges come as a result of a joint investigation by the and the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT). The investigation revealed that Rousso was driving eastbound on Central Avenue when she veered across multiple lanes of traffic and onto the sidewalk, striking and her three children.

Rousso was cited for driving under the influence shortly after the crash, at which time she submitted blood and urine samples. Police told Patch earlier this week that Rousso .

"We are investigating the use of huffing agents or huffing materials with relation to this," Deputy Chief of Support Services George Pfutzenreuter told Patch on Monday.

Aggravated driving under the influence is a class two felony that can lead to a prison sentence of three to 14 years. Reckless homicide is a class three felony that can lead to probation or up to five years in prison, .

Jaclyn's . About a hundered people attended the funeral mass, including , and .

During the bilingual service at Saint James Parish in Highwood, Rev. Thomas Baldonieri called Jaclyn "a joyful child" who enjoyed dressing in pink, like a princess.

"Jaclyn was born and received into loving hands and hearts," Baldonieri said. "Even now, we see just how many people are touched by Jaclyn's life and tragic death, even those who never met her."

Rousso's next court date is on Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m.

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