New Lenox man killed in Joliet hit-and-run with semi-truck
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- A man is dead after he was struck in a hit-and-run by a semi-truck Saturday afternoon in Joliet.
The 51-year-old New Lenox man, who had just been released from the Will County Adult Detention Facility, was hit and run over by the semi-truck just after 4 p.m., witnesses told Joliet Police. He has since been identified by the Will County Coroner as Brian T. Stotts.
Police were called to the scene and found the victim lying on the ground at the intersection of Washington and Ottawa streets. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The truck continued driving southbound on Ottawa Street, police said. The intersection was closed for several hours for investigation.
During the initial investigation, officers obtained a screenshot depicting an electric semi-truck and trailer and shared it with other traffic units. Joliet Traffic recognized the truck's model and checked the intermodal for the truck, but it was determined it did not visit the intermodal.
Traffic officers then checked where the electric semi-truck operated and found a semi matching the one in the screenshot with the driver.
The driver had a valid driver's license status and did not appear impaired, police said. A statement provided by the driver did not indicate awareness of running over anyone or anything.
The trailer the semi was hauling was dropped off in a yard in Minooka. Both the semi and trailer were checked for evidence. Police say at least one had evidence of the accident. Both were towed for the investigation.
The driver of the semi-truck was not issued any citations. This crash remains under investigation.
The Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit is asking anyone who may have witnessed this accident or with information to call the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at (815) 724-3100.
