Illinois authorities identify Orange County girl killed in jet ski crash
Authorities in Illinois have identified the two girls killed in jet ski crash earlier this week, including a 16-year-old from Orange County.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two girls as 16-year-old Sarina Vootkur of Lake Forest and 13-year-old Elle Kim of Long Grove, Illinois.
Results of autopsies conducted Thursday determined that the two girls died from “blunt force injuries” suffered in the crash.
According to Sheriff’s officials, on Tuesday, the two girls were riding a Yamaha WaveRunner on Lake Marie near Antioch Township, a town located in Illinois, about 70 miles north of Chicago.
Vootkur was driving the vehicle with Kim riding on the back. Witnesses said the girls were traveling at a high rate of speed directly in the path of a speed boat driven by a 55-year-old Illinois man.
The two vehicles collided and both girls were thrown into the water and knocked unconscious. They were both wearing life vests which allowed for the occupants of the boat to pull them from the water and provide first aid until they were able to take them to shore, officials said.
The girls were taken to a nearby hospital and were pronounced deceased after they arrived, Sheriff’s officials said. No other injuries were reported in the crash.
A GoFundMe has been organized to help create a memorial and “permanent remembrance” for the 16-year-old Vootkur.
The crash remains under investigation by the local Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Conservation Police.
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