Family of pastor killed in fatal crash questions why suspect was only given speeding ticket


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by CEDRIC 'BIG CED' THORNTON January 3, 2023 ------------------------- A family is asking a valid question in Illinois. After a driver killed a family member on the Lincoln Highway


back in May, the suspect has only been charged with speeding and has not been implicated in his death. According to _NBC Chicago_, Pastor NEELY DOTSON, 87 years old at the time of his


death, was killed in a car crash last year in May, but no one was ever arrested or charged in the incident. The accident took place on Lincoln Highway near Interstate 57. According to police


reports from the pastor’s family, the vehicle that hit Dotson’s car was a Toyota, speeding at more than 70 miles per hour. The driver also reportedly did not provide a blood and urine


sample at the hospital after indications that he reeked of alcohol and marijuana. Yet, the family learned that the driver had only been charged with speeding and not the death of Dotson. The


Matteson Police Department released a statement to _NBC Chicago_: “Once the investigation was completed, the lead detective contacted the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for a review


of potential charges. After reviewing the case, the State’s Attorney’s Office indicated that the appropriate charge should be Aggravated Speeding; speed alone cannot be used to fulfill the


requirements for the offense of Reckless Homicide.” This leaves the question of why the driver has not been charged with reckless homicide. “I have never heard of anyone who has been able to


not take a breathalyzer if a police officer smelled the alcohol,” Dotson’s daughter, NEEKETTA REED, stated. “That is grounds for arrest right there. I am hurt, mad… all these feelings. I


want the facts.” The family is baffled that he was only charged with speeding. “How can (one) kill someone and get off with a speeding ticket?” Reed said. “It just does not make sense.”


Although the family was told about the charges, _NBC Chicago_ contacted the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which stated that they were not directed to review reckless homicide


charges, just the traffic violations associated with the incident. “The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office was not contacted by police for a review of felony charges — the police direct


filed misdemeanor and traffic offenses that are pending in court at this time.”