Fox River Grove man pleads guilty to DUI charges in crash that killed two teens

A Fox River Grove man faces a lengthy prison term after pleading guilty Wednesday to driving under the influence charges stemming from a 2025 crash that killed two teenage siblings.

Jason Land, 19, admitted to two counts of aggravated driving under the influence as part of a plea deal submitted in McHenry County court. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9.

Under state law, the charge is normally punishable by three to 14 years in prison. However, the sentence can be extended to up to 28 years in cases involving more than one death.

McHenry County prosecutors said Land was driving an Audi A4 nearly 100 mph at about 12:20 a.m. July 28, 2025, when it collided with a Nissan Sentra at Richmond and McCullom Lake roads in McHenry.

The impact killed the Sentra’s driver, 18-year-old Perla Tejeda of McCullom Lake, and her 14-year-old brother, who authorities did not name.

Prosecutors said Land had a blood-alcohol level of 0.28 when he was tested later at a hospital, more than three times above the legal limit for driving of 0.08.

“This case is a devastating reminder of the irreversible consequences that can result from the decision to drink and drive,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said in a statement Thursday. “Two young lives were taken in an instant because of a completely preventable act.”

ckeeshan@dailyherald.com