Teen Allegedly Drove BMW at 104 MPH Before Tragic Crash Claims Lives of Elderly Couple

A tragic incident unfolded when a 17-year-old reportedly sped down a bustling suburban street at 104 mph, leading to a devastating crash that claimed the lives of an elderly couple.

Francesco Rendina faces charges of reckless homicide, as stated in a press release from DuPage County, Illinois. The State’s Attorney’s Office has confirmed that he will enter a plea during his arraignment on June 15, according to a spokesperson speaking with Oxygen.

Authorities allege that on March 27, the teenager was racing another BMW in Downers Grove, dangerously weaving through traffic as he accelerated south on Highland Avenue. This information was detailed in a petition aiming to deny pre-trial release, reviewed by Oxygen.

Investigators claim that Rendina was driving at a staggering 104 mph just seconds before the crash, only reducing his speed to 89 mph in a 45-mph zone. His 2022 BMW then collided with the vehicle driven by Ried Jacobsen, 72, and his wife Katherine, 67, at an intersection.

Ried Jacobsen was pronounced dead at the scene, while Katherine was urgently transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The crash also left a passenger in Rendina’s car with a broken leg, according to the petition.

Although Francesco was arrested, a judge denied the state’s request to keep him behind bars pending trial. Under the conditions of his release, he is prohibited from driving as well as possessing or consuming alcohol or non-prescription drugs. 

However, the case took a darker turn after investigators searched Francesco’s Snapchat account. 

Those videos—shot from behind the wheel of what appeared to be Francesco’s BMW—allegedly showed the vehicle speeding at more than 100 mph and spinning donuts in a parking lot before and after the crash. 

What’s more, Francesco allegedly went on a family vacation to Florida one day after the crash, according to the petition. There, he was seen on Snapchat drowning shots of alcohol while inside a nightclub, per the petition.

Francesco has a history of traffic offenses, prosecutors argue. In a separate case in January, he allegedly pleaded guilty to speeding and disobeying a stop sign. 

Oxygen could not immediately locate an attorney for Francesco.