This illegal alien paid a very high price. So Carpentersville makes the news again. I wonder what they will do with her...

Driver charged in deaths
(http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1750 ... 16.article)

December 16, 2006

BY DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter
She's still hospitalized, but a Carpentersville woman who authorities say was driving the minivan struck last week by a Metra train has been charged with reckless homicide in the deaths of three of her passengers.

Epifania Alvarez-Navarrette, 25, allegedly drove around downed crossing gates in Elgin, triggering the deadly Dec. 8 crash that killed two of her sisters and her 1-year-old nephew, Kane County officials said Friday as they announced the felony charges.

Four other people -- all children -- were seriously injured in the crash at Kimball Street, just west of downtown Elgin.

Two children remained hospitalized Friday as a result of the crash, including Alvarez-Navarrette's 3-year-old son, authorities said.

Alvarez-Navarrette was charged because investigators concluded she drove around the gates, putting the passengers in the van at risk from the train, which crumpled the vehicle and dragged it more than 50 yards down the tracks, police and Kane County prosecutors said.


'Tragic outcome'
"Eyewitnesses have confirmed the gates were down and the van drove around the gates," Elgin Police Chief Lisa Womack said, calling the charges "a tragic outcome of a bad decision."
Killed in the crash were Carpentersville residents Antonia Alvarez-Navarrette, 28; Raquel Alvarez-Navarrette, 34, and her 1-year-old son, Fernando Martinez.

Alvarez-Navarrette remains in Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin but could be released as soon as this weekend, authorities said. She has been placed under police guard.

The charges were filed because Alvarez-Navarrette, who is not a U.S. citizen, could be a flight risk, authorities said. She also was charged with driving without a license and driving without insurance -- both misdemeanor offenses.

The crash occurred as the women and children returned home from a dental appointment.

drozek@suntimes.com