In the tragic events of May 12, 2024, two lives were forever changed in Glenview, Illinois. The community was shaken when a high-speed collision occurred at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Meadow Lane. The incident resulted in the death of Marko Niketic, a 17-year-old senior at Glenbrook South High School, and left his girlfriend critically injured.
According to multiple sources, Taeyoung Kim, a 21-year-old Northbrook resident, was driving his Ford Mustang at an excessive speed when he collided with Niketic's silver Mercedes. The impact of the crash was so severe that it split Niketic's car in half.
Prosecutors allege that Kim was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis at the time of the accident. His blood alcohol level was reportedly 0.088, exceeding the legal limit. The Mustang's speedometer showed a maximum listed speed of 120 mph, and its needle was stuck at this speed just seconds before impact.
The crash occurred around 11 p.m., leaving Niketic dead at the scene. Kim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Niketic's girlfriend, who was in his car during the collision, sustained severe injuries including a subarachnoid hemorrhage, hematoma of the brain, fracture of the pelvis vertebrae, and hyper-density of the left frontal lobe of her brain with loss of consciousness and seizure.
The tragic incident has left Glenbrook South High School in mourning. Principal Barbara Georges wrote a letter to students and families expressing her condolences for Niketic's death, encouraging support for each other during this difficult time.
Kim was charged with several felonies including aggravated driving under the influence causing death and great bodily harm, reckless homicide, and numerous traffic violations. He is currently being held without bond pending trial.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Witnesses reported that Kim had been driving recklessly before the collision, passing cars on Ida B. Wells Drive and making a U-turn on I-94 westbound towards Wisconsin.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and adhering to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all individuals on our roads.
