McHENRY, IL — A catastrophic car crash in the early hours of Monday, July 28, 2025, has left the McHenry County community reeling after two teenage siblings, Perla Tejeda, 19, and her 14-year-old brother, Anthony Alexander Hernandez, both of McCullom Lake, lost their lives. The collision, which occurred at the intersection of Richmond Road (Illinois Route 31) and McCullom Lake Road around 12:30 a.m., has led to serious charges against the driver, 18-year-old Jason K. Land of Fox River Grove.
According to McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh, the incident involved a three-vehicle collision initiated by Land, who was driving a red 2006 Audi A4 southbound on Richmond Road at a high rate of speed. Authorities say Land ran a red light, smashing into a black 2015 Nissan Sentra that was attempting a left turn onto McCullom Lake Road. The impact was so severe that it caused the Nissan to overturn and strike a parked, unoccupied 2003 Toyota Echo in the 1800 block of Richmond Road.
Perla Tejeda and Anthony Hernandez, the occupants of the Nissan, were pronounced dead at the scene by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. Autopsies confirmed that both succumbed to blunt force injuries from the violent crash. McHenry Township Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Chris Kozel reported that the two victims were found outside their vehicle, while Land, the sole occupant of the Audi, was trapped and required extrication before being transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital McHenry with serious injuries. He was reported to be in critical but stable condition upon arrival.
**A Community Devastated by Loss**
The deaths of Perla Tejeda and Anthony Hernandez have sent shockwaves through McHenry and McCullom Lake. Perla, a recent high school graduate, was known for her warm personality and dedication to her family, working to support them while considering her future in higher education. Anthony, just 14, was gearing up to begin high school, his life full of promise. Friends and neighbors described the siblings as inseparable, kind, and always ready to lend a helping hand.
“They were the kind of kids who lit up a room,” a close family friend shared online. “This loss is unimaginable, and it’s shaken all of us who knew them.”
**Driver Faces Serious Charges**
Following an investigation by the McHenry County Regional Crash Assistance Team, which includes officers from the McHenry, Woodstock, Spring Grove, Harvard, Cary, and Johnsburg Police Departments, Jason K. Land was charged with multiple offenses. Court records detail the following charges:
– Two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing death (Class 2 felonies)
– Two counts of driving under the influence (Class A misdemeanors)
– Two counts of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more (Class A misdemeanors)
– One count of failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash (Petty offense)
Prosecutors revealed that Land’s blood alcohol content was 0.350, over four times the legal limit of 0.08 in Illinois. During a court hearing on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the state’s petition to detain Land pending trial, citing his danger to the community. Prosecutors noted that Land, a Johnsburg High School graduate, had a prior speeding conviction in Ohio and a suspended license in that state. He was unable to provide police with details about his actions or destination at the time of the crash.
“This tragedy could have been prevented,” Deputy Chief Walsh stated. “Impaired driving continues to destroy lives, and we’re seeing that devastation here with the loss of two young people.”
**Community Mourns and Rallies**
The McHenry County community has come together in the wake of this tragedy. Vigils and memorials are being organized to honor Perla and Anthony, with local schools and community centers offering grief counseling to those affected. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with many expressing outrage at the preventable nature of the crash and calling for stronger measures against impaired driving.
A GoFundMe page is in the process of being established to help the Tejeda-Hernandez family cover funeral costs and access grief support services. The outpouring of love and support reflects the deep impact the siblings had on those around them.
**Summary of Events**
– **Date/Time**: Monday, July 28, 2025, approximately 12:30 a.m.
– **Location**: Intersection of Richmond Road (Route 31) and McCullom Lake Road, McHenry, IL
– **Victims**:
– Perla Tejeda, 19, deceased
– Anthony Alexander Hernandez, 14, deceased
– **Suspect**: Jason K. Land, 18, of Fox River Grove
– Charged with multiple DUI-related offenses
– Blood alcohol content reported at 0.350
– **Investigation**: Conducted by the McHenry County Regional Crash Assistance Team
– **Additional Vehicle**: Unoccupied 2003 Toyota Echo, parked
The crash serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. As the investigation continues and the community mourns, McHenry stands united in seeking justice for Perla Tejeda and Anthony Hernandez, while working to heal from this profound loss.
