Pedestrian, 49, Killed On McDonough: Joliet Pickup Truck Driver Now Faces 2 Felonies

JOLIET, IL — A Will County grand jury has returned two felony indictments against the Joliet motorist involved in a fatal collision along McDonough Street, near Larkin Avenue, that ended the life of 49-year-old Joliet pedestrian Stephanie Imrisek.

On Thursday at the Will County Courthouse, Matthew Ortelli was charged with two counts of failure to stop after having an accident involving personal injury or death.

The criminal complaint from the Joliet Police Department indicates that on Sept. 18, 2023, Ortelli drove a Ford F250 and was involved in a collision at McDonough, west of Larkin, that resulted in Imrisek's death.

Ortellli "knowingly failed to stop the vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible and failed to return to, and in every event, remain at the scene of the crash," the indictment reads.

In 2024, Ortelli and his employer, OneOK Inc., were named as co-defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Imrisek's survivors: her 27-year-old daughter and two teenage sons. Three months ago, on May 20, a mediation settlement was reached

The survivors "have each agreed to the settlement amount and have signed the settlement for $510,000. Defendants do not admit liability in the settlement and release," the court order noted.

According to the lawsuit, at 7:18 p.m. Sept. 18, 2023, Stephanie Imrisek was in the middle of McDonough Street near a median. She was not in the crosswalk. The Ford F-250, driven by Ortelli, was northbound on an access road between the Shell gas station and Super 8 Motel at 401 South Larkin Avenue. When Ortelli tried to turn west on to McDonough, he collided with the pedestrian as he was completing his turn.

Imrisek was 5-foot-5 and wearing black and dark gray clothes.

"Not only was it dusk, but the lighting in the area was poor. At present, it is believed that the right front bumper of Mr. Ortelli's vehicle came into contact with Ms. Imrisek while she was in the roadway. She likely fell backward in the westbound lanes of McDonough, striking her head on the pavement. Her injuries led to immediate passing," noted attorney Michael Brennan of Orland Park.

At the time of her death, Imrisek worked at Portillo's Restaurant, starting in January 2022, where she earned $15.35 per hour, the settlement explained.

According to her obituary, the Joliet woman grew up and attended school in Oak Lawn. She graduated from nursing school at Saint Xavier University, Chicago.

"She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and family. She loved listening to music and dancing. She was survived by her life partner and engaged to Mark Noonan," her obituary announced.

As for the wrongful death settlement, the Law Offices of Michael Brennan anticipated collecting $170,000 in legal fees, plus it had $18,560 in costs. The remaining proceeds were to be distributed equally to Imrisek's three children.

As for the felony defendant, Ortelli, who turns 35 shortly, comes from the 1100 block of Karen Drive in Joliet, the court files show.