Lake County Gazette

A Gurnee man is facing multiple charges following a series of collisions that resulted in injuries and led to a police chase. The incident began in the Grandwood Park area of unincorporated Gurnee, according to Lake County Sheriff's deputies.

Reno J. Giangiorgi, 34, residing on the 18500 block of West Judy Drive in unincorporated Gurnee, has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence (DUI), two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, along with several traffic infractions. These charges were determined after a review by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

The press release states that deputies responded to reports of two hit-and-run incidents involving a suspected impaired driver at approximately 5:50 p.m. on June 17. Dispatchers received information about a DUI suspect who allegedly struck a vehicle near a gas station on the 36000 block of Grandwood Drive before fleeing the scene. Shortly thereafter, the driver reportedly hit another vehicle within the gas station parking lot and fled again. Witnesses indicated that the suspect appeared to be bleeding and was driving erratically.

A deputy located Giangiorgi and attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, he reportedly failed to comply and continued driving recklessly across various roadways. His vehicle sideswiped two cars at Stearns School Road and Hunt Club Road, resulting in minor injuries to one driver.

Traffic temporarily halted Giangiorgi's vehicle at Hunt Club Road and Grand Avenue, but deputies were unable to stop him as he resumed fleeing once traffic cleared. The pursuit continued eastbound and then southbound on Route 21. Deputies deployed spike strips when Giangiorgi allegedly ran a red light at Route 21 and Gages Lake Road, colliding with another vehicle making a left turn. Four individuals, including two children, sustained non-life-threatening injuries from this crash.

The suspect then collided with another northbound vehicle, causing further non-life-threatening injuries before his vehicle was finally disabled by a deputy using a squad car. Giangiorgi was taken into custody while deputies provided aid to those injured. All parties involved were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team and the Lake County Sheriff's Office Technical Crash Investigations Team are conducting investigations into the incident. It is noted that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.