Lakemoor teen admits to reckless driving

A Lakemoor teen was sentenced to six months in the McHenry County jail Friday after pleading guilty to allegations his reckless driving caused a one-car crash that injured two of his friends.

Dennis Bellino, 17, admitted guilt to a felony charge of aggravated reckless driving in connection with the Nov. 7 crash as well as an unrelated burglary charge as part of a plea bargain reached with county prosecutors.

Under the deal, Bellino received a 180-day jail sentence but received credit for 100 days served already. He also must serve two years' probation and pay a $250 fine.

Attorneys in the case declined to comment Friday on the negotiated plea.

Authorities say the crash occurred as Bellino sped down Fernview Drive in McHenry Township with five friends in his car. All six occupants fled the crash scene, police said, but two were found a short distance away lying in a ditch with injuries.

Investigators said they suspect alcohol played a role in the crash, but since Bellino was not located for several hours there was no way of knowing whether he was driving under the influence.

The burglary charge stemmed from an incident in May in which Island Lake police said a resident caught Bellino and a boy breaking into his pickup truck. The man detained the suspects until police arrived and took them into custody.