A teenager accused of causing a horrific crash that killed an elderly couple will stay locked up until his trial begins, a judge ruled this week — and the reason behind the decision is raising eyebrows across DuPage County.
Francesco Rendina, 18, is facing two counts of reckless homicide after authorities say he was driving at a shocking 104 mph just moments before slamming his BMW SUV into a car carrying 72-year-old Ried Jacobsen and 67-year-old Katherine Jacobsen.
The crash happened on March 27 in Downers Grove, Illinois, in a 40 mph zone. Investigators say Rendina had slowed down — but only to 89 mph — right before he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the couple’s car.
Ried Jacobsen died at the scene. Katherine Jacobsen was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries.
Rendina, who was 17 at the time of the crash, was arrested on May 10 and briefly released after his first court appearance. But prosecutors weren’t done fighting.
On Wednesday, a judge agreed with the state’s request to keep him behind bars until trial — citing a major detail that made the case even more troubling.
According to prosecutors, just days before the deadly crash, Rendina had been in court for other traffic violations — including driving at a high rate of speed. The judge reportedly said he “did not comply with the court order” issued days earlier and showed no regard for laws meant to keep drivers safe.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin didn’t hold back, saying the teen “poses a real and present threat to the residents of DuPage County.”
Rendina is now booked into DuPage County Jail and is being charged as an adult on multiple counts, including reckless homicide and additional traffic offenses from separate incidents.
His next court date is set for June 30.
