North Suburban Bureau

Man Dies In Drag Racing Crash In Northwest Suburbs

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. (STNG) ― A 20-year-old man was killed in a fiery crash Wednesday afternoon after his car slammed into a light pole during a drag race in northwest suburban Buffalo Grove.

Daniel Cotini, 20, of Buffalo Grove, was pronounced dead on the scene after his vehicle struck a light pole, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.

An autopsy Thursday showed Cotini died of multiple injuries suffered during the impact of the crash and his death was ruled accidental. Cotini's body was severely burned, but it appears he was already dead before the car erupted into flames, Keller said.

The crash happened at Aptakisic Road between Prairie and Weiland roads, according to Buffalo Grove police Sgt. Scott Kristiansen.

About 1:14 p.m. Wednesday, Cotini was driving a 1999 Honda Prelude east on Aptakisic road when he lost control and struck a light pole on the north side of the road. The impact caused the car to burst into flames, Kristiansen said.

Witnesses told police Contini was involved in a drag race with another vehicle, a 1994 Pontiac Bonneville, according to Kristiansen, who said the other driver was found a half-mile away from the scene of the crash.

Marco L. Rosero, 20, of Mount Prospect, was taken into custody and charged with drag racing and speeding, Kristiansen said.

Kristiansen said power to the electric pole was disrupted as crews worked around the scene. "After the vehicle struck the pole, it was damaged in such a way that it appeared it would fall," he said. "It did hamper some of our investigation."

The Buffalo Grove and Long Grove fire departments responded to the crash, and the Buffalo Grove police and the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating.

Rosero will appear Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Court in Waukegan.

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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