Reckless Homicide Charge Filed Against Driver In Crash That Killed Mokena Business Icon

MOKENA, IL — A reckless homicide charge has been filed against a man accused of speeding and losing control of his car in a crash that killed a prominent Mokena business figure last September. New charges of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving were filed Monday against 20-year-old Dwayne Griffin, according to court records.

Griffin was driving 60 or 70 mph when he lost control of his Nissan Altima on the Larkin Avenue curve near Knapp Drive in Crest Hill last September, police said. Griffin crashed head-on into a Lexus ES 330 driven by 82-year-old Stewart McCutcheon, the founder of McCutcheon Insurance Agency in Mokena and a prominent member of Mokena Area Business Community.

Griffin was initially charged with not driving on the right side of the road, window treatment violation, seat belt violation, improper lane use and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, but those charges were dropped in October.

Griffin, whose address was listed in Romeoville in jail booking records but in Joliet in court documents, was arrested Tuesday and released Wednesday after posting $5,000 of his $50,000 bond.

McCutcheon's obituary lists him as a U.S. Navy and Korean War veteran, father of seven, grandfather of 23 and great-grandfather of 13, with four more on the way at the time of his death.

Dwayne Griffin/Will County Sheriff's Office