Crime & Safety

Man Charged in Crash that Killed 4-year-old Girl

McHenry County Sheriff's Office arrests New Lennox man

A New Lenox man faces multiple charges in a September 2012 accident that killed a four-year-old Woodstock girl, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said.

Leonardo R. Martinez, 43, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, driving under the influence of drugs and driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, sheriff’s deputies said. He was also issued citations for failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to use due care.

Daniela F. Gomez, 4, died of injuries sustained during the crash.

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Martinez is accused of failing to stop at a stop sign and then crashing his 2011 Infiniti QX56 into a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Illinois Route 176 and Millstream Road in unincorporated Seneca Township.

Daniela, a passenger in the Jeep, was ejected from the vehicle. The child was pinned against the guardrail by the vehicle, witnesses said.  She was transported to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock where she died.

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The sheriff’s office conducted a five-month investigation into the crash and its Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested Martinez on March 1. His bond was set at $100,000.00, authorities said.


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