Highland Park Teen Charged With Homicide In Death Of Little Girl
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Highland Park teenager was charged Wednesday with reckless homicide after she struck and killed a five-year-old girl.
Carly Rousso has also been charged with aggravated driving under the influence after blood tests detected the chemical difluoroethane, which is found in commercial cleaning products, in her system, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney.
A container of the cleaning product was found in Rousso's car, prosecutors said. Rousso is suspected of "huffing" the contents to get high, sources said.
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Jaclyn Santos Sacramento, 5, was killed after the car Rousso was driving crossed several lanes of traffic and onto the sidewalk, slamming into the child and her family. Rousso, 18, is also charged with causing injuries suffered by Jaclyn's mother, Modesta, and two brothers.
The accident happened in the 700 block of Central Avenue in Highland Park. Rousso was traveling eastbound when the accident occurred.
Judge Raymond Collins set Rousso's bond at $500,000.
On Tuesday, Carly Rousso's father offered condolences to the victim's family.
"My heart grieves for the family. We are absolutely devastated for the family. This is so difficult for everyone," Dave Rousso said.
Sources told CBS 2 News Rousso might have been trying to get high by inhaling computer cleaning spray when she drove onto the sidewalk.
Sources also said Rousso has a history of drug abuse.
