The coroner’s office said 16-year-old Sarina Vootkur of Lake Forest, California, and 13-year-old Elle Kim of Long Grove died from blunt force injuries when the jet ski they were riding collided with a cabin cruiser on Lake Marie near Antioch.
What Happened at Lake County
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl were on the jet ski in Lake Marie and both were killed in the crash Tuesday around 5:15 p.m. Thursday the girls were identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office as 16-year-old Sarina Vootkur, of Lake Forest, California and 13-year-old Elle Kim, of Long Grove, Illinois.
The sheriff’s office reports a preliminary investigation shows 16-year-old Sarina was operating the Yamaha jet ski and 13-year-old Elle as a passenger. The two were traveling in a northerly direction near the channel to Grass Lake, just north of the Elime Road Peninsula.
At the same time a Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser, being operated by a 55-year-old man of Antioch, was traveling westbound in the same area.
Witnesses Statement
According to witnesses, the jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed directly toward the boat. The man driving the boat was unable to avoid a collision, and the two watercrafts crashed. The sheriff’s office reports that both teens, who were wearing life vests, were knocked unconscious and thrown into the water.
Sheriff’s Office Statement
According to the sheriff’s office, there were a total of four occupants on the boat and they immediately pulled the girls from the water, called 911, and rendered aid. The girls were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and both were pronounced deceased after arriving.
Autopsy results released Thursday indicate that both girls died from blunt force injuries suffered as a result of the crash.
No other injuries were reported.
