Chicago man charged in Highland Park crash that left two dead

HIGHLAND PARK (Sun-Times Media Wire) - A Chicago man who was driving a stolen vehicle when it slammed into a tree early Sunday in north suburban Highland Park, leaving his two passengers dead, was ordered held on a $1 million bond Tuesday.

Leonard A. Lemons, 18, was charged with two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of aggravated DUI, and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to a statement from Highland Park police.

Investigators determined the stolen vehicle was speeding when it slammed into a tree about 4:30 a.m. at Oakwood Avenue and Walnut Street, police said. Two passengers were killed.

One of the passengers was identified as 18-year-old Keyron Lemons of the 7500 block of South Carpenter, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was taken to Evanston Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:18 a.m., authorities said. Authorities could not immediately confirm if Leonard Lemons and Keyron Lemons were related.

The other passenger was identified as 16-year-old Joseph Belcher of Chicago, according to the Lake County coroner’s office.

During the investigation, officers found Leonard Lemons in the Central Train Station and he admitted he was driving the vehicle when it crashed, police said.

Leonard Lemons, of the 5300 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, was ordered held on a $1 million bond, according to the Lake County state’s attorney’s office. He is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 30.