Judge: Round Lake Park man must submit to drug evaluation for plea deal
A Round Lake Park man accused of being on drugs when he crashed an SUV into a tree, killing a passenger, has been told to complete a court-ordered substance abuse evaluation.
Attorneys for Carlos Luna Jr., 24, of the 200 block of Brierhill Drive, met with Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes behind closed doors Monday in an attempt to come to terms on a plea agreement.
Shanes told Luna he could not approve any plea deals until the test is completed. The case is scheduled to go to trial April 15.
Luna was charged with three counts of reckless homicide, five counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing an accident with death and three counts of DUI causing an accident with bodily harm during a gang-related attack on July 17, 2011, authorities said. He remains free on bond.
Police said Luna was driving a sport-utility vehicle on the 400 block of Highmoor Drive when a landscaping brick was hurled through the SUV’s front windshield. It caused Luna to lose control of the vehicle and slam into a tree, killing Rogelio Lopez, 18, of Round Lake.
Luna tested positive for drugs following the crash, resulting in the charges against him, authorities said.
At the time, authorities said Luna was accompanied by fellow gang members as he drove the SUV and chased a rival gang member.
Willie Davis Jr., 22, of Round Lake Park, was outside his home on the 400 block of Highmoor Drive when he saw his gang colleague being chased, police said. He hurled the landscaping brick into the SUV, police said. The vehicle hopped a large boulder, then went out of control at more than 55 mph and struck a tree.
Davis was charged with first-degree murder for throwing the brick. However, prosecutors said that charge was reduced to varying counts of armed violence, reckless conduct and aggravated battery.
He is held in lieu of $1 million bond in the Lake County jail and is due to appear in court April 8.