By Brian Stanley
An 87-year-old woman died March 22 after her grandson allegedly set their house on fire.
The blaze was reported about 1:30 p.m. at a two-story residence in the 1900 block of Glacier Ridge Drive. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Blaskey said crews arrived to find “heavy fire” on the first floor and were told by neighbors Teresa Collado was still inside.
Firefighters found Collado on the second floor with “burns over 90 percent of her body,” Deputy Police Chief Darrell Gavin said. Collado’s caregiver had also been in the house but was able to get out without injury.
Collado was taken to Amita Saint Joseph Hospital and later airlifted to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood where she succumbed to her injuries about 6 p.m.
Police officers learned Collado’s grandson, William Vera, 32, also had been seen at the home when the fire began.
“He did not remain at the scene, but was located by officers at Caton Farm and County Line roads,” Gavin said.
Fire and police investigators determined the fire had been set intentionally. Vera was questioned by detectives and “admitted setting parts of the house on fire,” Gavin said.
Vera, who was living with his grandmother, was arrested on two counts of aggravated arson and booked into the Will County jail where he is being held on $1 million bond. Gavin said additional charges are being reviewed by the Will County State’s Attorney’s office.
“Police had received prior calls for service at that address, but nothing that resulted in charges,” Gavin said. “Vera was known to police from prior contacts.”
Will County court records show Vera has been charged with over a dozen traffic offenses in the last 10 years and pleaded guilty to a theft case that occurred in Shorewood in 2009.
Blaskey said the house was “heavily damaged” by the fire and may have to be torn down.