Zion, IL – A Zion man faces multiple felony charges after authorities concluded an investigation into a crash that reportedly killed his 5-year-old son and injured several others in Lake County.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, crash investigators determined that Steven McKnight, Jr., 25, was reportedly driving under the influence of cannabis and recklessly when his Chevrolet Malibu collided head-on with another vehicle on Green Bay Road in Beach Park the evening of November 26, 2024. Authorities said McKnight did not have his two-year-old or five-year-old sons restrained in appropriate child safety seats at the time of the crash. Both children suffered serious injuries, and the five-year-old boy, identified as Sy’mere McKnight, was later pronounced dead.
Lake County officials stated that the investigation led to charges against McKnight, Jr., including two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, endangering the life of a child causing death, and four counts of aggravated DUI. He was arrested at his home Wednesday by sheriff’s deputies and a SWAT team. Sheriff John D. Idleburg emphasized that the incident was allegedly the result of reckless, impaired driving and noted the profound impact on the victims’ families.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a petition to detain McKnight, Jr. as he awaits trial. The court has set the next court date for August 7, 2025. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges may follow. The crash also left a 57-year-old driver of a GMC Sierra and the two-year-old child with serious injuries.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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