Driver accused in deadly Highland Park crash pleads not guilty
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com October 18, 2012 6:52PM
Carly Rousso
Updated: November 20, 2012 10:46AM
The Highland Park woman accused of running over a kindergarten student pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges Thursday.
Carly Rousso, 18, faces three to 14 years in prison for the two aggravated DUI charges for the death of Jaclyn Santos, 5, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ken LaRue. Rousso faces two to five years in prison for the reckless homicide charge and one to 12 years in prison for the aggravated DUI charges for injuring Jaclyn’s mother, Modesta Santos Sacramento, LaRue said.
Rousso is accused of driving under the influence of difluoroethane on Labor Day when she ran over Jaclyn.
Jaclyn’s family is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 in a civil lawsuit pending against Rousso.
A protective order keeping “potentially inflammatory materials” such as police reports and video of the scene was entered for the civil lawsuit, attorney Bob Baizer, who represents the dead girl’s family, said Thursday. This protective order is common in a civil case, he said.
Rousso is due back in court Oct. 25. She is represented by Douglas Zeit. Rousso’s parents were seated in the gallery at court when Zeit entered Rousso’s pleas of not guilty.
Rousso is free from custody on 10 percent of $500,000 bond. One of her bond conditions is that she is not allowed to drive.
Her trial date was scheduled for Feb. 1.
