New Lenox Man Gets 8 Years in Prison For Fiery Crash That Killed Pal

A New Lenox man was sentenced to eight years in prison for driving drunk when he crashed his car and killed a friend riding in the passenger seat.

Kevin Krohn, 23, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated driving under the influence Monday. He learned his sentence Friday.

Krohn faced up to 14 years in prison. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence.

Krohn broke his leg and his friend Jake Stevens, 22, was burned beyond recognition in the August 2012 crash. Krohn had picked up Stevens at his home in Manhattan that evening and the two went to see a friend's band play.

Krohn wrecked his Dodge Stratus near 104th Avenue and Steger Road. He was found about a quarter mile away, walking on his broken leg to get help. Stevens was trapped inside the car and burned to death.

Assistant State's Attorney Fred Harvey said Krohn at first lied about the identity of the dead man in his car, telling the police it was someone named "Bob Bacon." Krohn came clean after the cops checked on Bacon and found he was at home and alive.

Stevens' father, Philip Stevens, said Krohn's obfuscation—and the condition of his son's body—delayed the official identification of the remains.

During a brief statement he made during his plea hearing, Krohn said he considered Stevens to be an "older brother" to him.

Krohn's .09 percent blood-alcohol level was barely over the legal limit of .08, according to the Will County State's Attorney's Office. Krohn also had marijuana in his system.

“Jake Stevens suffered a horrific death because Kevin Krohn chose to get behind the wheel and drive while he was intoxicated,” said State’s Attorney James Glasgow. “This was a callous decision that should haunt the defendant in the years he spends behind bars and for the rest of his life.”

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