An 18-year-old man is facing charges in McHenry County after being accused of causing a fatal three-vehicle accident.
According to authorities, Jason Land, who is also 18, was driving at high speed on Richmond Road in McHenry when he allegedly ran a red light, colliding with a vehicle carrying a 19-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy early Monday morning.
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Not even 48 hours after the crash happened, Land appeared in court in Woodstock.
A judge ruled that Land will remain in custody, denying him pre-trial release.
Prosecutors report that Land was operating his 2006 Audi sedan while intoxicated, exceeding the legal alcohol limit, when he passed through the red light at the Richmond Road and McCullom Lake Road intersection, striking a 2015 Nissan Sentra.
A third, parked vehicle was also hit, but no one was inside at the time.
The Nissan, meanwhile, was carrying two people, a 19-year-old woman and 14-year-old boy. Police say they were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Perla Tejeda. Both Tejeda and the unnamed boy are from McCullom Lake.
In court, the state’s attorney pushed for Land’s detention before trial, highlighting his past speeding violation in Ohio for exceeding the speed limit by over 15 miles per hour in April. This has resulted in the suspension of his license in that state.
The prosecutor also noted that Land was unable to recall or provide explanations to the police about his whereabouts, intended destination, or activities leading up to the collision.
Land now faces six criminal counts, including two felonies for Aggravated DUI Accident Causing a Death.
Land remains in custody of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. His next court appearance is set for Aug. 7.
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