Teenage Girl From Gurnee Dies In Rollover

A 15-year-old girl from Gurnee was killed in a rollover accident in unincorporated Grayslake early Tuesday morning. She reportedly was distraught over the possibility of having to put down the family dog due to cancer, and went with a friend for a drive, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The accident happened at about 12:45 a.m. June 21, on Almond Road about one-quarter mile south of Route 120 in unincorporated Grayslake.

The Sheriff's Office reported that a 2003 Dodge minivan, driven by a 15-year-old girl from Gurnee, was northbound on Almond Road at a high rate of speed. The driver appears to have lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway striking several trees and a utility pole on the east side of Almond Road.  

The driver's passenger, 15-year-old Taylor Mae Stinchcomb of Gurnee, was trapped in the vehicle and later was extricated by Grayslake Fire and Rescue. Stinchcomb was breathing and talking prior to being transported to Condell Hospital, where she died from what appears to be multiple internal injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

Grayslake Fire and Rescue transported both girls to Condell, according to fire department officials. The driver was treated and released from the hospital, according to a Condell representative.

Sheriff's investigators have determined that the girls took the vehicle from Stinchcomb's parents without permission because she was distraught that her family was considering putting down the family dog, which was suffering from cancer. 

Stinchcomb originally was driving the vehicle but became too upset about her dog, which was also in the vehicle, and she asked her 15-year-old friend to drive.  The girl turned south on Almond, drove all the way to Casey Road and turned around, before heading back north on Almond when the accident occurred.  The dog did not survive the accident. 

"This case is absolutely heartbreaking," said Undersheriff Charles Fagan. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both girls involved in this incident."    Sheriff's investigators are still working on trying to determine exactly how the accident occurred.  Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor. 

An autopsy is scheduled for later today at the Lake County Coroner's Office. Charges in this case could be forthcoming.  The name of the driver is being withheld due to her age.