Joliet Man Charged In Shorewood Woman's Black Road Death

SHOREWOOD, IL —A 21-year-old Joliet man faces two felony charges in connection with the June 4, 2020, death of Shorewood pedestrian Joni Hilger. The 66-year-old woman was killed while she was hit by a car along Black Road.

On Thursday, Christian Rodriguez was charged in Will County with aggravated use of an electronic communication device and reckless conduct. The grand jury indictment followed a lengthy investigation by the Shorewood Police Department.

The Shorewood woman was hit by a vehicle on eastbound Black Road west of Edgebrook Drive. Hilger, who lived nearby, was pronounced dead at 1 p.m., the Will County Coroner's Office said.

Shorewood police said Hilger was struck by the car as she was crossing the street.

The reckless conduct charge states that Rodriguez was driving his Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on Black Road, with the posted speed limit of 35 mph, "and failed to keep a proper lookout as he drove, and directed and kept his attention away from the roadway for an excessive time, causing his motor vehicle to strike pedestrian Joni Hilger."

At the time of the crash, Rodriguez was using an electronic communication device, the criminal complaint states, "and in committing the violation, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death to ... Joni Hilger ... and this conduct of the defendant was a proximate cause of the injury or death."

Shorewood police, Joliet police and the Will County Sheriff's office were on the scene that day investigating the crash and taking measurements.

Rodriguez lives in the 100 block of Joliet's Catherine Street. He was 19 years old at the time of the traffic fatality on Black Road.

Bail has been set at $50,000 and Rodriguez has not been taken into police custody as of Thursday morning.

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