Woman Who Killed Shorewood Motorcyclist Had No License: Police

JOLIET, IL — A young woman accused of driving with a suspended license with no valid license plates may face harsher consequences for her role in a recent traffic crash along Jefferson Street. On Monday, the Will County Coroner's Office announced that the other driver, 38-year-old motorcyclist Roger A. Phillips of Shorewood, died at Presence Saint Joseph hospital. Phillips had been hospitalized in grave condition since the horrific wreck on July 30.

Booking logs at the Will County Detention Center show that 27-year-old Victoria L. Martin has remained in custody since the early morning hours of Aug. 1 on felony charges of driving with a revoked license and misdemeanor charges of driving an uninsured vehicle and operating with suspended license plates. Martin also got a traffic citation accusing her of failure to yield from a private road. She also had an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to appear to court, police said.

In light of the Shorewood motorcycle's death, the Joliet Police Department said Tuesday that it will continue to vigorously investigate the crash. Police will work closely with the Will County State's Attorney's Office to determine whether more serious charges are in order against Martin.

However, the fatality investigation may last several more weeks, if not months, before a final decision is ultimately made, Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory indicated.

Back on Sunday, July 30, Martin had been driving a four-door 2009 Hyundai Sonada when she stopped at the Citgo gas station in the 1100 block of Jefferson Street. Around 8:50 p.m., police said, Martin tried to leave the Citgo by making a left-hand turn onto Jefferson. That's when she struck the Shorewood motorcyclist, who was driving a 2003 Honda Shadow. Police said it's their understanding the victim was headed east on Jefferson.

According to police, Phillips dropped his motorcycle, slid and crashed into the side of the car. He suffered serious brain injuries, several fractures to his body and was rushed to Saint Joseph's hospital.

Court records show that Martin lived in the 400 block of Joliet's Western Avenue. However, her booking information at the Will County jail listed her address in Racine, Wisconsin.

She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Will County Circuit Court on Aug. 24.

Booking mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department