Prison Sentence In Kathy Molitor's DUI Fatal Wreck On Route 59

JOLIET, IL — On Friday morning, Will County Judge Dave Carlson imposed a prison sentence of three years at the Illinois Department of Corrections for 64-year-old Joliet resident Kathy Molitor, whose September 2016 crash on Route 59 killed 36-year-old motorcyclist Jaime Mendez of Plainfield.

Carlson could have sentenced Molitor to probation. She faced a prison sentence ranging from three to 14 years of incarceration. She is expected to serve her three-year prison sentence at 85 percent, according to court officials.

However, based on a head injury Molitor suffered a few years ago while working at a Joliet area Home Goods store, there is a possibility that the Illinois Department of Corrections may decide not to accept her as a prison inmate, and instead, want her placed on home confinement.

Molitor has only been in custody since Jan. 5.

In September 2016, the 58-year-old Molitor was charged with multiple counts of aggravated driving under the influence. She posted bond after being arrested and has remained free the past several years while awaiting her trial date.

While driving drunk on a Saturday night, Molitor turned in front of Mendez's motorcycle that was heading toward Plainfield on Route 59. The crash killed him and injured his wife, who was riding as his passenger.

Prior to Friday's sentencing, Molitor's criminal defense attorney Jim Ryan of Naperville submitted several letters from his client's neighbors and friends, urging the Will County judge to show her leniency at sentencing. One letter came from her next door neighbor, Tom and Rose Giarrante. Tom Giarrante served as the mayor of Joliet until spring 2015.