A Peoria man was convicted of reckless homicide Wednesday in a 2021 street racing accident near Sterling Plaza.
A Peoria County jury found Darien D. Davis, 33, also guilty of drink driving and aggravated street racing.
The accident on September 4, 2021 later claimed the lives of Jacqueline McDuffie, 50 years old. of Peoria and Debbie Smith, 64.
Related: Peoria man indicted on charges that he had drugs in his system during fatal crash in September
The charges allege that Davis’ car, a black 2008 BMW 750Li, collided with a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage when that car pulled up in Sterling from Gale. Multiple witnesses told Peoria police that a third car, white and of unknown make and model, was driving north on Sterling with the BMW at the time of the crash, according to court records.
Surveillance cameras showed the BMW rear-ended the Mitsubishi, causing the latter to spin out of control, according to court records. McDuffie was thrown from the vehicle. Smith and another woman had to be pulled out.
The charges alleged that Davis had cocaine, amphetamine and nordiazepam in his system. Davis faces up to 40 years in prison on the charges. His sentencing is scheduled for June 28.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria man found guilty of fatal street racing accident