Fox Lake man told to stop contacting victim's family
A Fox Lake man was warned by a Lake County judge to stop trying to contact family members of a crash victim or he could wind up back behind bars.
Anthony Cechini, 24, was told by Judge Daniel Shanes his $250,000 bail could be forfeited or increased if he continues to send Facebook friend requests to the family of David Letchinger, who died in a crash Cechini is accused of causing last year in Fox Lake.
“As part of your bond, you were told to not have any contact with the family of the victim,” Shanes said in court Thursday. “I'd consider reaching out with a friend request on Facebook as having contact with the family of the victim.”
Cechini tried to defend his actions, but Shanes told him to stay quiet.
“Do not break court orders,” he added.
Defense attorney Doug Zeit did not comment on the issue after the hearing.
Cechini was indicted by a Lake County grand jury in December on charges of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence that resulted in death in connection with the Oct. 1 crash that killed Letchinger, 21, of McHenry.
Authorities said Cechini was westbound on the 100 block of Nippersink Road at 4 p.m. when the 2004 Subaru he was driving veered off the road and into a tree near Fox Lake's Lakefront Park.
Letchinger, a passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he later died.
Authorities said Cechini initially tried to flee on foot, but was captured after a short chase.
He is free of jail after posting 10 percent of his $250,000 bail.
Cechini is due back in court Aug. 13 for pretrial. His Aug. 19 trial date was pushed back until September.