Coroner Releases Name of Homeless Man Struck and Killed by Car in Joliet

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Coroner’s Office has released the name of an 80-year-old homeless man who was struck and killed by a car while walking across the street Tuesday in Joliet.

Raymond J. Feely, who was known to police officers and was a frequent resident of the Daybreak Shelter, was at the northwest corner of Jefferson and Reed streets when he attempted to cross to the southwest corner at 12:42 p.m., according to Joliet Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory.

Feely, who did not have the right of way, stepped in front of a truck in the outside lane closest to the curb, but the driver was able to stop before hitting him. Feely then kept walking when a black Jaguar driven by a Joliet man, which was a car’s length behind the truck, crashed into him, Gregory said. Feely bounced off the hood and windshield before falling to the pavement. Witnesses and video corroborated the driver’s story of the crash, Gregory said.

The man was taken to a local hospital with bruising on the brain, compound fractures in both legs and a fractured left arm. He was pronounced dead at 2:57 p.m. at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, according to the Will County Coroner's Office.

It's not believed drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.

A final cause and manner of death will be determined at a later date pending medical record review and police reports. Fred C. Dames Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.