Montgomery Man Charged In Connection With Death Of Aurora Man

AURORA, IL — Police have charged a Montgomery man in connection with the death of an Aurora man following a crash in October.

On Oct. 17, just after midnight, Aurora Police reported hearing gunshots in the area of the 1100 block of Plum Street. Residents in the 700 block of Redwood Drive also reported hearing gunshots, according to a press release from the police department.

Officers found a 2006 Dodge Durango on Redwood Drive that had crashed into a tree and a parked car. The driver was identified as Earnest A. Hardy, 39, of Aurora.

Hardy was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was later transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 22.

An investigation showed the Durango had been struck by gunfire. Further investigation showed a vehicle chasing and firing shots at the Durango seconds before the crash, police said.

Police charged Chuckie E. Chatman, of Montgomery, Illinois, with first degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and reckless homicide.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 630-256-5500.