Wal-Mart Car Surfer Listed in Critical Condition, 3 Arrests Made

A 20-year-old Hoffman Estates man is in critical condition after falling from a moving car.

Police responded to the Wal-Mart parking lot at approximately 11:30 p.m. June 30 after Austin Watts, 20, of Hoffman Estates reportedly had fallen and struck his head. Upon arrival, discovered that Watts had fallen from the roof area of a moving vehicle and struck his head on the pavement in the parking lot.

According to police, further investigation revealed that Watts had been riding on the rooftops of two vehicles before he fell from a vehicle driven by Stephen D. Gallagher, 19, of Schaumburg.

Traffic crash investigators were called to the scene and determined that a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Gallagher; a 2000 Dodge Neon, operated by Eva M. Carlock, 18, of Crystal Lake; and a 2002 Dodge Caravan, operated by a 17-year-old juvenile female of Crystal Lake were simultaneously operating their vehicles in a reckless manner while in the parking lot, according to police.

According to police, Watts was riding on the exterior trunk and roof areas of the Dodge Neon, and then the Chevy Impala. During the reckless maneuvers being conducted by the drivers, he fell off of the roof of the Chevy Impala, impacted the pavement and sustained trauma to the head.

Watts was transported by ambulance to Centegra’s Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry where he was listed in critical condition.

No other injuries were reported by any of the other parties present at the scene.

Carlock was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, reckless conduct and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. She posted bond and was released with a court date of July 19.

The 17-year-old juvenile female was petitioned into juvenile court on the charges of reckless driving and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and subsequently released to her parents.

Gallagher was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and felony reckless conduct involving great bodily harm. He was later transported to the McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.

The incident remains under investigation by Accident Investigators of the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Targeted Response Unit.