Crime & Safety
Woman Hit By Semi While Trying To Help Turtle Cross Street
A semi hit Paulette Mettiille, 68, of Ottawa, as she helped a turtle on Route 23. She was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.
DOWNERS GROVE, IL — An Ottawa woman who was trying to help a turtle get across the street was hit by a semi truck Monday. Paulette Mettille, 68, was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where she remains in serious condition, according to Chicago Tribune.
Around 10 a.m., Mettille pulled over and got out of her vehicle on Route 23 in Ottawa to help a turtle that was stranded in the road, according to LaSalle NewsTribune. Richard Lee Jones, 57, was driving his semi truck southward on Route 23 when he reportedly hit Mettille. LaSalle NewsTribune reports that the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office said Jones attempted to swerve to avoid striking Mettille before hitting her. Jones was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Mettille's condition was upgraded from critical to serious on Wednesday. Police are still investigating the circumstances that caused the semi truck to hit Mettille.
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The turtle reportedly was not injured.
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