McHENRY, IL — Authorities file charges against 18‑year‑old Jason K. Land after fatal three‑vehicle crash that killed two teens, injured another

McHENRY, IL — Authorities file charges against 18‑year‑old Jason K. Land after fatal three‑vehicle crash that killed two teens, injured another

MCHENRY, Ill. (July 28, 2025) — The McHenry Police Department has formally charged 18-year-old Jason K. Land of Fox River Grove following a devastating three-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of two teenagers and left a third critically injured early Monday morning.

The Crash

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, Land was driving a 2006 red Audi A4 southbound on Richmond Road (IL Route 31) when he collided with a black 2015 Nissan Sentra at the intersection of McCullom Lake Road, according to police  The impact was so severe it caused the Nissan to flip and also drove the Audi into an unoccupied 2003 Toyota Echo, parked nearby

Inside the Sentra were two teenagers—a 19‑year‑old woman and a 14‑year‑old boy—both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office . Their names have not yet been released, pending family notification. The Echo was unoccupied at the time of the crash

Land, the sole occupant of the Audi, was transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital with serious, critical but stable injuries, and later released and transferred into custody

Charges Filed

Later that Monday afternoon, Land was formally charged by the McHenry Police Department and McHenry County State’s Attorney with:

• Two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing a crash involving death (Class 2 felony),

• Two counts of misdemeanor DUI, including DUI with a blood alcohol concentration ≥ 0.08,

• Failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash (misdemeanor)

Court documents allege Land was operating the vehicle while impaired, with a BAC over the legal limit, and that his intoxication was a proximate cause of the deadly collision

Investigation and Response

Following the crash, the McHenry County Regional Crash Assistance Team—comprising multiple jurisdictions—responded to assist in documenting and reconstructing the scene . Richmond Road and McCullom Lake Road were partially closed for several hours into the morning as investigators processed evidence. The roads reopened by about 8 a.m.

McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. Investigators urge anyone with information related to the crash to contact the McHenry Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 815‑363‑2599, or anonymously through the tip line at 815‑363‑2124

Community Impact & Safety Context

This tragedy adds to a worrying pattern of fatal and serious crashes across McHenry County in recent weeks. Officials in nearby jurisdictions have called attention to an alarming rise in traffic-related fatalities in the region, urging motorists—especially younger drivers—to avoid impaired driving and to remain alert behind the wheel

Local leadership continues to emphasize safe-driving practices, including obeying speed limits, using seat belts, and never driving under the influence.

Looking Ahead

• Land remains in the custody of the McHenry County Jail and is expected to appear in court soon.

• Toxicology and crash-reconstruction analysis are pending, which may further inform the legal proceedings.

• McHenry officials intend to release more details when available, including the identities of the deceased once family notifications are complete.

The McHenry Police Department offers its deepest condolences to the families of the two young victims. This heartbreaking incident underscores the tragic consequences of impaired driving and the fragility of life on our roadways.