2 Dead In Joliet Traffic Fatality, 11 Reckless Homicide Charges Filed

JOLIET — Nearly a year and a half after 80-year-old Joliet motorist Elbert Washington and his 61-year-old female passenger Michelle Weithers lost their lives following a collision on the outskirts of Joliet, in Preston Heights, the Illinois State Police has obtained a grand jury indictment against 34-year-old Plainfield resident Matthew Isiah Ferguson.

The indictment was on file Friday at the Will County Courthouse. Ferguson has not been taken into custody.

The indictment charges Ferguson with 11 counts of reckless homicide in connection with the double fatality that happened on Nov. 14, 2023. The Joliet Township double fatality happened along Route 53 at Louis Road around 3:10 p.m., according to the Illinois State Police.

Court documents indicate the Plainfield resident was driving a Dodge Challenger on Route 53 "with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property" and drove at a speed "which was in excess of 20 miles per hour over the applicable speed limit of 45 miles per hour causing his motor vehicle to strike the motor vehicle driven by Elbert Washington, and in which Michelle Weithers was a passenger thereby causing the deaths of Elbert Washington and Michelle Weithers."

One of the reckless homicide charges indicates that in addition to driving at least 20 mph over the 45-mph speed limit, Ferguson is accused of having consumed cannabis.

Ferguson comes from the 1800 block of Crestview Drive in Plainfield, the warrant for his arrest noted. Will County Chief Judge Dan Kennedy signed the arrest warrant.

Original Patch coverage:

2 Dead In Joliet Township Wreck On Route 53: Coroner