The Dotson family wants to know why a driver that was involved in a late-May crash that killed Neely Dotson, a retired suburban pastor, has not faced more series charges. NBC 5’s Regina Waldroup reports.
Neely Dotson was 87 years old when he died in a car crash in late May, but no one was ever arrested following the accident.
The crash happened on Lincoln Highway near Interstate-57. Police reports the family gave to NBC 5 show that the car, a Toyota, which hit Dotson's was speeding – going more than 70 miles per hour.
The reports also indicate the driver of the Toyota smelled of alcohol and marijuana, and refused to provide a blood and urine sample at the hospital.
“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, said. “That is grounds for arrest right there. I am hurt, mad … all these feelings. I want the facts.”
Months after the crash, the family learned that the driver involved is being charged with speeding.
“How can (one) kill someone and get off with a speeding ticket?” Reed said. “It just does not make sense.”
The family is calling on police in suburban Matteson and prosecutors to reopen the case.
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Matteson Police provided NBC 5 with the following statement:
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.
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NBC 5 also contacted the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which gave the following statement:
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.
