Driver who struck school bus charged

From the Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Driver who struck school bus charged

SPRING GROVE – Charges have been filed against the driver of an SUV that hit two vehicles and a school bus transporting 41 Richmond Grade School students Wednesday.

Erik Rangel, 19, of 1621 Brentwood Drive, Round Lake Beach, allegedly drove his SUV into a Corvette and a Chevrolet van about 4 p.m. at Route 173 and Breezy Lawn Road before striking a school bus, Spring Grove Police Chief Tom Sanders said.

After allegedly striking the school bus, Rangel drove away from the scene, Sanders said. A witness to the incident followed Rangel until Round Lake Beach police stopped him.

Rangel was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driving without insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to give aid, Sanders said.

The driver of the Corvette was taken to Centegra Hospital – McHenry by Spring Grove ambulance, Spring Grove Fire Battalion Chief Bob Stevens said. None of the 41 children on the Richmond Grade School bus were injured, and the bus sustained very minor damage.

Sanders said more severe charges were pending.

– Diana Sroka