18-Year-Old Crete Man Charged In Connection To 2021 Fatal Crash: ISP

CRETE, IL — An 18-year-old Crete man has been charged with four counts of reckless homicide and with aggravated drunk driving resulting in a death in connection with a crash that took place in 2021, the Illinois State Police announced on Friday.

Shane R. Wieck, Jr., has been charged and appeared in court on Wednesday, and is being held on a $25,000 bond, police said.

He was charged in connection with a single-car crash on Oct. 6, 2021, on Route 394 near Goodenow Road in Will County. Police said that the vehicle, driven by Wieck, ran off the road after Wieck lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole. The vehicle then overturned before hitting another utility pole, the state police said.

The passenger in Wieck's vehicle, 18-year-old William E. Earls of Munster, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

After a state police investigation, a Will County grand jury indicated Wieck Jr. on the charges in late March. A direct indictment warrant was issued for Wieck’s arrest, and he was taken into custody on Tuesday, police said.

Earls "was well known for his skill and talent on the wrestling mat (earning him ten All American Titles numerous trophies, and medals) his corny jokes, and his smile," his obituary read, adding the teen "will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He was the kind of young man that anyone around him would be proud to call son, grandson, brother, nephew, or friend."