Man Charged with DUI and Homicide in Death of Zion Sy’mere McKnight in Beach Park, Illinois

BEACH PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A Zion father is facing multiple felony charges in the death of his 5-year-old son, the sheriff said.

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In November, a tragic incident occurred on Green Bay Road, just north of Hart Street in Beach Park, where 5-year-old Sy’mere McKnight lost his life in a collision, as reported by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Steven McKnight, Jr., was identified as the driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, officials said.

Authorities revealed that two young boys were in the Malibu at the time of the accident, neither of whom were secured with seatbelts. Alarmingly, a two-year-old was seated on the driver’s lap.

McKnight crashed head-on with a GMC Sierra, driven by a 57-year-old man of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

Months after the deadly crash, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested McKnight in the deadly crash.

The driver faced charges including two counts of aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, endangering a child’s life resulting in death, and an additional four counts of aggravated DUI.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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The 25-year-old will remain in custody until his next court date on August 7.