Girl Died Trying To Protect Her Dog

Local reports are providing more details today of the teenage girl from Gurnee who died on June 21 in a crash in unincorporated Grayslake.

The Daily Herald article said that Taylor Mae Stinchcomb, a 15-year-old Warren Township High School student, was well-liked by both teachers and students. Stinchcomb was reportedly upset that her dog was due to be put down due to cancer.

Stinchcomb and a friend took the dog and went for a drive, and ended up in a one-car rollover accident, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Stinchomb died at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville after being extricated from the crash wreckage on Almond Road, about a quarter mile south of Route 120, sheriff officials said. A spokesperson from Condell confirmed to Patch that Stinchcomb died of multiple internal injuries.

Her friend, another 15-year-old, whose name is being withheld by police due to her age, was treated at the scene and released, according to the Herald.

The dog, Romulus, also died in the crash.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the accident, officials said, and an autopsy was expected to be done at the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Stinchcomb was active in her church, on her softball team and around the neighborhood. They described Stinchcomb as a "loyal person who loved her dog more than anything."