Kendell County Jury Finds Driver Guilty of Reckless Homicide

July 6, 2010 - On Thursday, a 26-year-old woman was found guilty on all charges stemming from a 2007 car accident that killed five teenagers. According to reports at the Naperville Sun, the Kendall County jury deliberated for 12 hours before returning their guilty verdicts.

The driver, who was 23 at the time of the accident, could face jail time of nearly 30 years. She was found guilty on all charges, including 5 counts of reckless homicide and 16 counts of aggravated drunk driving. The Kendall County District Attorney proved to the jury that the driver had been reckless when she offered a ride to 8 teenagers after a party. She later crashed her car into a utility pole, killing 5 teenagers and seriously injuring 3 others. Toxicology tests showed that her blood alcohol content was above the legal limit.

The driver is due back in court on Aug. 27 to receive her sentence. According to reporters at the scene, the driver sobbed as the verdict was read. The driver's relatives and families of the victims were also visibly emotional as the trial concluded.