Man surrenders to police in Shorewood fatal pedestrian crash case

A man turned himself in on charges that accused him of driving his vehicle recklessly in Shorewood and striking a 66-year-old pedestrian who died from her injuries in 2020.

On Saturday morning, Christian Rodriguez, 21, of Joliet went to the Shorewood Police Department, posted 10% of his $50,000 bond and was released, according to Shorewood Deputy Police Chief Jason Barten.

Rodriguez’ next court date is slated for March 2.

On Jan. 27, a grand jury returned an indictment against Rodriguez on felony charges of aggravated use of an electronic communication device and reckless conduct.

The indictment alleged that Rodriguez drove a Chevrolet Malibu on June 4, 2020, on Black Road in Shorewood while using an electronic device and struck Joni Hilger. Barten said the device was a cellphone.

Rodriguez was charged with failing to keep a proper lookout as he drove and with keeping his attention away from the roadway “for an excessive time, causing his motor vehicle to strike” Hilger.

Barten said Rodriguez remained at the scene of the crash and police identified him as the driver. He said Hilger was struck on Black Road near her residence.

On Sept. 16, 2020, Joni Hilger’s husband, Thomas Hilger, filed a wrongful death lawsuit that resulted in judgment of $2 million against Rodriguez, court records show.

Thomas Hilger filed an affidavit in the case that said his wife was an “active, energetic, giving and vibrant 66-year-old wife, mother of two and grandmother of six.”

The affidavit said Thomas Hilger’s wife suffered multiple fractures from the “violent impact of being thrown 7 to 10 feet.”

“We have suffered the loss of love, affection, care, companionship, comfort and guidance. We have also suffered grief, sorrow and mental suffering,” Thomas Hilger said.

Hilger was a volunteer at Timbers of Shorewood, a senior independent living and assisted living rental retirement community. She also volunteered at the Shorewood-Troy Public Library.