Crime & Safety
Driver in Fatal HP Crash Pleads Not Guilty
A judge told the teenager from Chicago he could face nearly 30 years in prison if convicted.
HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A Chicago teenager entered a not guilty plea in Lake County court on Thursday to charges he was responsible for the deaths of two other teens when he crashed a car into a tree in Highland Park last month.
Charges facing Leonard A. Lemons, 18 include reckless homicide, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the Highland Park News. A judge told him he could face up to 28 years in prison for the most serious charge, but could also be given probation or a conditional discharge.
Highland Park police said on Dec. 6 Lemons was driving a vehicle reported stolen out of Chicago a few days earlier and crashed it into a tree around 4 a.m. near Oakwood Avenue and Walnut Street.
The crash killed Joseph Belcher, 19, and Keyvon Lemons, 18 - both of Chicago. According to earlier reports, the vehicle was traveling at “a high rate of speed” and being pursued by law enforcement at the time of the crash.
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