logo
Joliet police sergeant, 47, killed in car crash, department says

Joliet police sergeant, 47, killed in car crash, department says

Yahoo17-05-2025

The Brief
Joliet Police Sgt. Hollis Weller, 47, was killed in a car crash in southeastern Will County on Friday.
Illinois State Police said the crash involved three vehicles and another person was hospitalized with injuries.
Weller was a 20-year veteran of the Joliet Police Department and is survived by his wife and three children.
JOLIET, Ill. - Sgt. Hollis Weller, a 20-year veteran of the Joliet Police Department, was killed on Friday in a car crash in southeastern Will County, the department said.
Weller, 47, was a "highly respected and dedicated 20-year-veteran" of the department, according to a news release.
What we know
The crash took place around 11:45 a.m. on Illinois Rt. 1 north of Eagle Lake Road near Beecher, according to the Illinois State Police.
Troopers responded to the scene for a three-vehicle crash involving a turck-tractor semi-trailer, a pick-up truck and a passenger car.
ISP said one person died and another was taken to an area hospital with injuries. The roadway was shut down for several hours.
It was unclear which vehicle Weller was inside of during the crash.
The backstory
Weller was promoted to sergeant in July of 2020 and most recently served in the JPD's Traffic Unit.
Weller also earned numerous awards, including the Award for Heroism in 2015.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
"We respectfully ask the public to keep Sgt. Weller's family, as well as the men and women of the Joliet Police Department, in their thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss," the department said in the news release.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

8-Year-Old Dies Following After-School Camp Crash That Took Place Over a Month Ago, Becoming 5th Victim to Die
8-Year-Old Dies Following After-School Camp Crash That Took Place Over a Month Ago, Becoming 5th Victim to Die

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

8-Year-Old Dies Following After-School Camp Crash That Took Place Over a Month Ago, Becoming 5th Victim to Die

The Sangamon County coroner confirmed that Bradley Lund, 8, was pronounced dead on June 2 The April 28 crash previously claimed the lives of four people Officials previously identified the other the other victims who died as Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7; Ainsley Johnson, 8; and 18-year-old Rylee BrittonAuthorities confirmed that a fifth child has died over a month after a vehicle crashed into an Illinois after-school camp. In a Tuesday, June 3, statement, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that Bradley Lund, 8, of Springfield, was pronounced dead on the morning of Monday, June 2. At the time, Bradley was an inpatient at HSHS St. John's Hospital 'where he was admitted after sustaining multiple blunt force injuries in a motor vehicle vs pedestrian incident at a daycare center in Chatham, on April 28, 2025.' The coroner's office said that Bradley's death continues to be under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Illinois State Police. The deadly crash took place on April 28 just after 3 p.m. at the YNOT (Youth Needing Other Things) Outdoors Summer Camp. According to authorities, the victims were between 4 to 18 years old. The ISP previously identified the driver as Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham. Authorities said Akers' car left the road for reasons unknown and traveled through a field and into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp, traveling through the building and hitting many people before exiting the other side. The Sangamon County Coroner's Office previously identified the victims who died in the wreck as Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7; Ainsley Johnson, 8; and 18-year-old Rylee Britton. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. "Postmortem procedures done today indicate that they all died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident," the coroner's office said. In addition to the fatalities, six other children were taken to area hospitals, state police said in a previous statement. The department noted that the crash did not "appear to be a targeted attack.' Akers, the sole driver and occupant of the car, was uninjured and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Akers' lawyer previously said that she had a seizure and had no memory of the incident. Speaking with Fox affiliate WRSP, Scott Hanken said that Akers has seen a neurologist and granted the ISP permission to view her medical records. 'We have met numerous times with law enforcement,' Hanken said. 'She has provided them with everything they've needed. She immediately provided them with her phone. The Illinois State Police did a forensic download of her phone, and we've clarified any issues that they may have had with that.' Hanken did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. WRSP reported that five of the injured children were released from the hospital and no criminal charges have been filed against Akers so far. Read the original article on People

Fifth child dies in Chatham after-school tragedy
Fifth child dies in Chatham after-school tragedy

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

Fifth child dies in Chatham after-school tragedy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The death toll of the car crash at a Chatham after-school program is up to five following the passing of an eight-year-old boy on Monday. Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon announced in a news release that Bradley Lund of Springfield passed away after sustaining blunt force injuries in the crash at the YNOT Outdoors program on April 28. Lund had been admitted as a patient at HSHS St. John's Hospital following the crash, and he was still receiving treatment there when he died at 5:52 a.m. on Monday. State Police provide updates on Chatham after-school tragedy The crash also claimed the lives of four girls between the ages of 7 and 18: 7-year-old Kathryn Corley of Chatham 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe of Chatham 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson of Chatham 18-year-old Rylee Britton of Springfield Another six children were hospitalized, including Lund. The Illinois State Police concluded its investigation into the crash last week and the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office began a review to decide on whether charges are warranted against the driver who crashed into YNOT Outdoors' building. In a brief statement to WCIA, State's Attorney John Milhiser said: The tragedy in Chatham is heartbreaking. The Sangamon County State's Attorney's office continues to work with the Illinois State Police on the investigation. John Milhiser Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

13-year-old boy shot and killed in Joliet alley, police say
13-year-old boy shot and killed in Joliet alley, police say

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

13-year-old boy shot and killed in Joliet alley, police say

The Brief A 13-year-old boy was found fatally shot in an alley in the 300 block of Desplaines Street in Joliet around 4:42 p.m. Monday. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene; no suspects are in custody, and his identity has not been released. Joliet police are investigating and urging anyone with information or video footage to contact detectives or Will County Crime Stoppers. JOLIET, Ill. - A 13-year-old boy is dead after being shot Monday afternoon in an alley in Joliet, according to police. What we know Officers responded around 4:42 p.m. to the 300 block of Desplaines Street, where they found the boy in a rear alley with gunshot wounds. He showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. No arrests have been made, and the teen's identity has not been released. Police have not shared further details about the circumstances of the shooting. What's next Joliet police are still working to identify the suspect(s) involved in the deadly shooting. Anyone with video footage or information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigation Division at 815-724-3020 or Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store