Reckless Homicide, DUI Charges Filed In Deadly Joliet Crash

JOLIET, IL — A 46-year-old Joliet woman faces eight counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a fiery crash in March that killed an Aurora woman, police announced on Tuesday.

Maria Aiello was charged in the accident and also faces charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, police said. Bond for Aiello has been set at $500,000 for Aiello, who worked as an investigator for the Will County Public Defender’s Office, Joliet Police confirmed.

Police said on Tuesday that Aiello was charged on May 27, but a Joliet Police spokesman told Patch on Monday that she is not yet in custody but there is a warrant for her arrest.

The March 15 crash happened around 8:15 p.m. on Glenwood Avenue near AMITA St. Joseph Medical Center, killing Dr. Ednalice Pagan-Romney, a licensed psychologist from Aurora who had an office on nearby Hammes Avenue. Her car burst into flames after being rear-ended by Aiello's vehicle.

Police said that a 2015 Chevrolet Trax driven by Aiello was traveling westbound on Glenwood Avenue at a high rate of speed in the inside lane. As Aiello's vehicle approached the intersection of Springfield Avenue, it struck the rear of a 2020 Acura TLX driven by Pagan-Romney, 50, which had been stopped.

The collision forced Pagan-Romney's vehicle into a tree on the north side of the intersection and it burst into flames. Police said. Officers attempted to provide medical attention to, Pagan-Romney, but she was was pronounced dead at the scene. Aiello was transported to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center with serious injuries and later transferred to Loyola University Medical Center.

Police said that Aiello was believed to be under the influence of controlled substances and in possession of a controlled substance at the time of the crash, police said.

According to court records, no future court date has been set for Aiello.