Porsche-Driving Heir Jailed in Cook County

Two British tourists plowed down in Ft. Lauderdale

A Hoffman Estates man whose Porsche was involved in a double-fatal hit-and-run in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is being sent to Cook County Jail on a probation violation.

Ryan LeVin, 34, was taken into custody at a court hearing Monday morning for failing to complete a drug treatment program. He is being held without bail.

LeVin claims that he wasn't behind the wheel the night his speeding car jumped a curb and struck and killed two British tourists.

LeVin is the son of a wealthy Chicago-area family.  He previously referred questions about the crash to attorney Keith Seltzer, who, last week said he had no comment, declining to say even if he's representing LeVin.

"I was not driving," LeVin told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, regarding the crash that killed Craig Elford, 39, and Kenneth Watkinson, 48.

Police took 911 calls from witnesses just before the two were struck by the speeding car. The witnesses said the Porsche appeared to be racing another car when it jumped the curb on Seabreeze Boulevard, cutting the men down from behind.

Ft. Lauderdale police have not named LeVin or anyone else as a suspect in the Feb. 13 hit-and-run, as the investigation continues.

LeVin is heir to the Jewels by Park Lane, a company that sells its goods through at-home parties led by consultants and touts itself as proof of the American Dream.

LeVin's relatives extended their condolences to the victims' families last Thursday, but put distance between the tragedy and their successful direct sales company.

"We express our deepest sympathies to the families affected by this ... tragic accident in Florida," the company said in a statement. "We understand the accident involved a vehicle owned by Ryan LeVin, a member of the family which owns Jewels by Park Lane. Ryan LeVin has not been involved in the management or operation of our company and is not currently employed by our company. The LeVins are addressing this issue as a personal family matter."

[Read more from the Chicago Tribune]
 

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