Mom of Manhattan Man Killed in Fiery Frankfort Crash Sues Driver

The mother of a Manhattan man killed when the car he was riding in crashed and burst into flame has sued the New Lenox man who was driving.

Kim Stevens, the mother of Jake Stevens, 22, of Manhattan, has petitioned to be named the administrator of her dead son's estate. She simultaneously filed a lawsuit going after the man who was driving when her son was killed.

The suit accuses Kevin Krohn, 22, of speeding and failing to keep a proper lookout. It does not accuse Krohn of driving drunk, but he faces a felony charge of aggravated driving under the influence.

Krohn is free on a $75,000 bond. He is due back in court for his criminal case Dec. 18.

Stevens was the sole passenger in the car Krohn was driving.

Krohn was arrested 12 days after the fatal Aug. 25 crash on Steger Road near 104th Avenue. According to the lawsuit, Krohn lost control of his car and ran it into a "retaining wall, tree and large metal switching box."

The car caught fire. Krohn, who suffered a broken leg, was able to escape the blaze and crawl away, but Stevens was burned so badly officials needed to use dental records to identify him.

A case management date for the civil suit was set for March 26.

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