Joliet Bicyclist's Death By Hit-And-Run Driver Finally Leads To Morris Motorist's Capture: Police

JOLIET, IL —Nearly two years after avid Joliet bicyclist Donny Shiner was killed instantly along Larkin Avenue during an overnight ride, the Joliet Police Department said it has arrested the suspected hit-and-run driver who fled the scene.

On Tuesday afternoon, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English announced that during an extensive investigation into the fatal hit-and-run traffic crash on Oct. 6, 2024, in the 200 block of South Larkin Avenue, Joliet police identified the driver involved as 36-year-old Armand Melendez Jr.

The crash resulted in the death of Shiner, 56.

"Investigators determined that Melendez was allegedly operating a Buick LaCrosse at the time of the crash and left the scene after the crash without stopping to provide aid or required information," English said on Tuesday.

The fatality happened around 2:45 a.m. in front of the Culver's fast-food restaurant.

On Monday, Joliet's police investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Melendez on charges of failure
to report a vehicle crash involving personal injury or death, failure to stop after a vehicle crash involving personal injury or death and failure to give information or render aid.

Melendez had lived in Morris at the time of Shiner's bicycle fatality in 2024. However, when he was arrested on Tuesday around noon, police said he had moved to Joliet.

Melendez was taken into custody at 12:05 p.m. following a traffic stop near Morgan Street and Park Drive. He was processed at the Joliet Police Department and later
transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

In 2025, Joliet Patch broke an exclusive story pertaining to the case that was headlined, "Bicycle Fatality: Lawyer For Hit-And-Run Driver Visited Police, No Charges Yet Filed."

At the time of the article, Joliet Patch noted that it had been three months since the death of Shiner, who was known around Joliet's bicycle community as one of the city's most avid cyclists. Shiner was known for riding the streets of Joliet during all hours of the night — and that's how he died.

Shiner was born in South Korea in 1968.

"At the age of 6, Donny moved to the United States and was adopted by his parents, Tony and Jonelle Shiner," his obituary from Kurtz Memorial Chapel reflected. "He grew up in New Lenox and worked for many years as a handyman and landscaper in the Joliet, and formerly the Muncie, Indiana, areas. Donny was an avid bicyclist, riding thousands of miles a year, and was proud of his accomplishments of riding to the summit of Pike's Peak."

Shortly before 3 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2024, Joliet police officer Don McKinney responded to the 200 block of South Larkin Avenue, in front of the Culver's restaurant.

"Upon arrival, I observed a male subject laying motionless on the pavement, in the southbound lanes. There were bicycle parts, including bicycle lights, that were still illuminated throughout the roadway," McKinney wrote in his police report. "I checked on the male victim, and he was not breathing nor did he have a pulse. I started chest compressions on the victim until JFD arrived and took over treatment."

More than 36 hours after Shiner died riding his bicycle, the Joliet Police Department's detective unit received notification from one of Joliet's most prominent criminal defense lawyers. At 3 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2024, attorney Jeff Tomczak of Tomczak Law Group was at the front desk of the police station.

"I was to meet with Tomczak who had information regarding the fatal hit and run that occurred ... at 2:57 a.m. in the 200 block of South Larkin Avenue," Joliet Police Detective Brad McKeon wrote in his report. "When I arrived at the front desk, I met with Tomczak and his associate, Attorney Anna Rose Bertani ... Tomczak presented me an envelope from the Tomczak Law Group that was addressed to the Joliet Police Department Traffic Division. Tomczak said the envelope contained a copy of a driver's license and Tomczak also explained that the vehicle used could be located at an address in Morris, IL. Tomczak said the owner would grant consent to take possession of the vehicle that was in the garage. Tomczak also said he spoke to ASA Jim Long and ASA Trish McKenna of the Will County State’s Attorney Office."