Inmate Dies Leaving Jail, Joliet Police Interview Semi-Trailer Driver

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department announced on Sunday that Brian Stotts, the person killed in downtown Joliet when a semi-tractor trailer ran him over, was actually 51 years old, not 21. Also, no criminal charges or traffic citations have been issued in connection with the incident.

The semi driver was tracked down by Joliet police later on Saturday, and he had no knowledge of running over the 51-year-old New Lenox man.

The man's name was identified as Brian Stotts by the Will County Coroner. On Saturday, Joliet Patch discovered that the 51-year-old man was just let out of the Will County Jail at 3:36 p.m., according to the jail records. He had been incarcerated for three days in connection with an order of protection violation, his fourth stint inside the jail since 2020.

According to Sunday's updated Joliet police press release from Investigations Sgt. Tizoc Landeros:

At 4:05 p.m., Saturday, Joliet Police received a call of a hit-and-run collision and a man 51, from New Lenox lying on the ground at the intersection of Washington and Ottawa Streets.

Officers obtained a screenshot of the semi-truck and trailer. The photo of the semi-truck depicts what appears to be an electric semi-truck. Joliet officers were familiar with these types of trucks.

It was determined that the semi-truck did not visit the intermodal.

Police officers then checked the location where the electric semi-trucks operate and found a semi-truck matching the one in the photo. The investigation divulged that the truck driver the officers made contact with was in fact the semi-truck involved.

His driver’s license was valid, and he did not appear impaired. The driver gave a statement to the officers. His initial statement did not indicate the driver had knowledge of running anyone or anything over.

The trailer the semi-truck was hauling was dropped off in a yard in Minooka. Both the semi-truck and trailer were checked for evidence of the crash. At this time, it appeared that at least one had evidence of the accident. They were both towed for the investigation and evidence processing.

The driver of the semi-truck has not been issued any citations at this time, Landeros noted.

This crash remains under active investigation. The Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit is asking anyone that may have witnessed this accident or with information to please call the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at (815) 724-3100.