Joliet Councilwoman's Son Killed in Crash

Joliet Councilwoman Bettye Gavin has lost her son in a traffic crash.

Joliet Councilman Mike Turk told Patch that Joliet resident and Gavin’s son Jesse Johnson, 44, was driving a truck when it veered to the left and struck a concrete embankment on I-80 near Harlem Avenue Jan. 8.

He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he died Saturday evening from severe head injuries, according to Turk, who had spoken to Gavin Saturday morning.

Johnson owned his own trucking company and was working Friday in Matteson, Illinois. He was heading to Minooka to pick up a load for his truck and finish his day when he hit the embankment.

“They don’t know if it was something wrong with the truck or if he maybe had a seizure or some other medical situation.”

Johnson leaves behind two daughters. He had spoken to them earlier in the evening Jan. 8 and told them what time he would be home, according to Turk.

Gavin had suffered another loss recently when her brother died after an illness.

Funeral arrangements are tentatively scheduled for Jan. 23.