Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has announced that traffic crash investigators have identified a maroon 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck as the vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident. The office is seeking assistance from the community to locate the vehicle.

According to the Sheriff's Office, investigators are requesting public help in finding the truck, which is linked to a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of Adrian Rogel-Villanueva from Waukegan. The vehicle is believed to have sustained front-end and passenger-side damage and may be hidden in a garage or repair shop. It is suspected that the license plates have been removed or replaced, and any decals previously on the rear window might have been taken off.

The incident occurred on July 27, 2025, in Beach Park. Deputies discovered a 19-year-old motorcycle rider deceased at Green Bay Road and Sallmon Avenue. Evidence indicates that the Kawasaki sports bike was struck by another vehicle that fled the scene. The Lake County Coroner’s Office is arranging an autopsy, while the sheriff’s technical crash investigations team continues to treat this as a criminal investigation.

Photos of the GMC Sierra involved have been released, with flock safety cameras aiding in developing leads. The Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information about the truck's location or details about the crash to contact their crash investigators at 847-377-4000, submit tips online, or reach out to Lake County CrimeStoppers at 847-662-2222.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in maintaining order and upholding laws within its jurisdiction. It emphasizes service through education, communication, partnerships, and enforcement with an aim to build public trust. Integrity, respect, and professionalism are core values upheld by the office. Since its inception in 1839 alongside Lake County's founding, it has expanded over time with significant additions like those made to its jail and courthouse in 1895.