Crime & Safety
Shorewood Woman's Crash Death Prompts Criminal Charges
Joliet teenager Christian Rodriguez was talking in 2020 on his phone when his car struck Shorewood pedestrian Joni Hilger, prosecutors say.
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 driving. The grand jury indictment resulted following a lengthy investigation by the Shorewood Police Department.
The Shorewood woman was killed when she 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.
Find out what's happening in Shorewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Shorewood police, Joliet police and the Will County Sheriff's office were on the scene investigating the crash and taking measurement.
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.
Find out what's happening in Shorewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bail has been set at $50,000 and Rodriguez has not been taken into police custody as of Thursday morning.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
