A 17-year-old walked out of a DuPage County courtroom after a judge refused to detain him — despite prosecutors saying he was driving nearly twice the speed limit when he killed two people.
Ateenager accused of killing a married couple in a high-speed crash walked free Monday after a judge in DuPage County refused to hold him before trial — a decision that has left prosecutors, and many in the community, stunned.
Francesco Rendina, 17, of Oak Brook, appeared in court on May 11, 2026, and was released under conditions after a judge denied the State’s Attorney’s petition to detain him. He faces two counts of reckless homicide in connection with the March 27 crash that claimed the lives of Ried Jacobsen, 72, and his wife Katherine Jacobsen, 67, of Downers Grove.
Key facts at a glance
- Crash occurred March 27, 2026 at 6:53 p.m., Highland Ave & 35th St, Downers Grove
- Teen allegedly reached 104 mph seconds before impact; 89 mph at point of collision
- Speed limit on the road: 45 mph
- Ried Jacobsen, 72, died at the scene; Katherine Jacobsen, 67, died later at hospital
- Judge denied pre-trial detention; next court date: June 15, 2026
Authorities say the crash unfolded in a matter of seconds. Rendina was allegedly driving a 2022 BMW SUV southbound on Highland Avenue, weaving between lanes at high speed, when he slammed into a vehicle carrying the Jacobsens as they turned onto the road.
“Traveling about 104 mph seconds before the crash and 89 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of impact.” — DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
Ried Jacobsen was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife Katherine was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The couple had been turning onto Highland Avenue when the collision occurred.
Despite prosecutors pushing for pre-trial detention, the judge allowed Rendina to go home under strict conditions: he is prohibited from driving any vehicle and barred from consuming alcohol or any non-prescribed substances. His next court appearance is set for June 15, 2026.
The case has sparked questions about how the juvenile justice system handles high-speed fatality cases — and whether release conditions adequately protect the public when a teen is accused of killing two people at nearly double the speed limit.
Authorities and the State’s Attorney’s Office emphasized Monday that the charges against Rendina remain allegations. He has not been convicted, and the case is still pending before the court.
Note: All charges are allegations. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
