Man Pleads Guilty In DUI Crash That Killed Teen Siblings: Prosecutors

McHENRY COUNTY — A 19-year-old Fox River Grove man pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a 2025 crash that killed two teenage siblings, according to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Jason Land pleaded guilty Wednesday before Judge Mark R. Gerhardt. The crash happened at about 12:20 a.m. on July 28, 2025, at the intersection of Richmond Road and McCollum Lake Road in McHenry.

• Coroner IDs One Of Two Siblings Killed In DUI Crash

According to prosecutors, Land was driving a 2012 Audi A4 southbound on Richmond Road at an excessive speed, approaching 100 mph, as he entered the intersection. At the same time, an 18-year-old woman, who was later identified as Perla Tejeda, was driving a Nissan Sentra through the intersection with her 14-year-old brother as a passenger. The Nissan had the right of way, prosecutors said.

Land's Audi struck the Nissan, causing catastrophic damage to both vehicles. The 18-year-old driver became trapped inside the vehicle, while her brother was ejected.

Emergency medical personnel determined that both siblings died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash, according to prosecutors.

Land was taken to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the crash. A blood sample collected at the hospital showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.28, prosecutors said. The sample was collected approximately one hour after the crash.

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

“No sentence can restore these children to their family or erase the unimaginable loss their loved ones continue to endure,” Freese said. “Our office will continue to stand with the victims’ family and will seek a sentence that reflects the extraordinary gravity of this tragedy.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 in Courtroom 302.