I'll put my enthusiast hat back on as well, and say only this in response to Landjet's post. Lumping all lawyers (or even most lawyers) into a single group of bottom-dwelling evil-doers is a bit like categorizing all turbo owners as elitist ****** (a label which would clearly apply to a segment of turbo owners, but not to others, like many on this forum, who own the car out of a love for automobiles and the marque rather than a desire to look cool or "one-up" the neighbor). Landjet, I'm pretty sure you are a decent fellow, but you'd probably be pisssed if someone passed judgment on you based on your "flashy aqua green porsche." Right? There are no doubt bad apples in each bunch, but your suggestion that most of them are bad, or that lawmakers/judges fashion rules/laws/regulations primarily out of a desire to insulate themselves should they ever find themselves accused of some ethical/legal violation in the future is simply wrong in my experience.

Back on topic: looks like the soon-to-be defendant is infact a "bad apple." Should be interesting to see how this case progresses.

 

Landjet, PM sent.

 

The sad thing this will become a distant memory like all other street racing tragedies and we'll see continue to see people on sites such as this posting videos of their high speed races in "Mexico"....

 

I apologize to all the honest lawyers. You are right, I generalized. But can I still make the blanket statement about politicians?

 

No problem! And yes, politicians are fair game (except the ones I represent!).

 

Yes, you have to remember that its the 99% that give the rest a bad name.

Sorry attorneys, Its just a joke....and I don't really believe it. But I couldn't resist.

 

Heck yeah!

 

What are the odds. I post with a defensive stance towards the guy and it turns out that not only he has a history of ******baginess but is from chicagoland as well. Anyone's got a picture of the suspect? I want to see if he looks the part too.

 

BTW, this guys lawyer is Keith Seltzer, a long time South Florida criminal law specialist. Good Lawyer. If this thing goes past an early deal, the prosecutors will have their hands full.

 

Oh hell, now you're gonna make me defend politicians...

Just kidding...

Seriously, it does sound pretty bad for the owner of that car. And if the "evidence" proves him culpable and guilty, then he'll go to jail, I'm reasonably sure.

Remember, there are a LOT of us here who have risked our lives so all of us could have the rights afforded us by the consitution and the BILL OF RIGHTS. As American Citizens, we should all embrace the fact that these protections afforded each of us are there, in place, for our protections.

Don't **** and moan because some dirtbag gets the same use of them as you and I. Just "hope" that the system works, as it was designed.

Mike

 

There was a picture posted on Rennlist I believe.

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/communit...2.photogallery

 

I live in South Florida - not far from where this took place. All the shops and Porsche dudes where talking about this when it happened. It is very sad... I think all angles were covered here in these 5 pages. To see the background on the guy - really doesn't help him at all.

Interesting debate here for sure. I too am going to watch how this plays out. Very sad for the families here. This is a tragedy on multiple levels. It would be great to have many people pray for comfort and peace for their families at this time. This is going to be tough for a long long time.

 

Illinoisan denies link to fatal Fla. crash

February 18, 2009 11:05 PM | 4 Comments

FT. LAUDERDALE -- A Porsche apparently involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident that made headlines in Florida and England belongs to the son of a wealthy Chicago-area family, authorities said today.

Police said the sports car, which they believed mowed down two British tourists as it raced along State Road A1A on Feb. 13, belonged to Ryan LeVin, a Hoffman Estates man who is heir to the Jewels by Park Lane fortune. LeVin, 34, said he was not behind the wheel that night.
"I was not driving," Ryan LeVin told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

He declined to comment further, referring all questions to attorney Keith Seltzer. Seltzer said he had no comment, declining to say even if he's representing LeVin.

Ft. Lauderdale police have not named LeVin or anyone else as a suspect in the hit-and-run accident that killed Craig Elford, 39, and Kenneth Watkinson, 48, as the visiting Britons walked back to their Ft. Lauderdale beachfront hotel.

Witnesses called 911 minutes before the two businessmen were struck to report that a Porsche appeared to be racing another light-colored sports car along Seabreeze Boulevard.

The Porsche jumped the curb, cutting the men down from behind, within 50 yards of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, police said.

LeVin's damaged Porsche 911 Turbo was found abandoned less than an hour later on the northbound ramp of Interstate Highway 595 to Interstate 95.

Police remained mum about the identity of the Porsche's owner in the days after the crash but issued a news release Wednesday saying the car was registered to LeVin.

Cook County court records show that LeVin was sentenced to 30 months' probation in November 2007 after leading Chicago police on a high-speed pursuit in a blue 2001 Porsche Targa. Police estimated he reached speeds of 100 m.p.h. during the July 31, 2006, chase, and he struck several vehicles and injured a police officer and two motorists, according to police reports.

After the Chicago chase, police found cocaine in LeVin's car, according to court records. He initially was charged with seven felonies and ultimately pleaded guilty to one of them: aggravated fleeing.

The plea deal required LeVin to enter a substance-abuse treatment program, court documents show.

As part of his probation, he was allowed to travel to Florida to care for his parents' properties, according to court records.

Court documents from Illinois showed that as of 2007, LeVin was vice president for national sales for a company his parents founded, Jewels by Park Lane. The business is described on its Web site as "the world's leading direct sales jewelry party plan company."

Michael Norris, the Schaumburg attorney who handled LeVin's case in Illinois, declined to comment.

--Jon Burstein, Sofia Santana, Juan Ortega and Stacy St. Clair