Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 VCU West arrested Lisa E. Cotton, 31, from Blue Island, for Aggravated Reckless Driving Resulting in Injury (Class 4 Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Crash Resulting in Injury (Class 3 Felony), and Failure to Report a Crash Resulting in Injury (Class 2 Felony).
On June 26, at approximately 5:48 a.m., ISP responded to a rollover crash that occurred on I-57 southbound, near Exit 312 in Kankakee. The preliminary investigation revealed a truck-tractor had overturned and became engulfed in fire. The sole occupant of the vehicle, James C. Denton, 57, was transported to the hospital with significant injuries.
After a thorough investigation, ISP special agents identified Cotton as the at-fault driver. They determined Cotton had left the area immediately after the crash. That same day, ISP patrol units located and apprehended Cotton at her residence in Blue Island.
The Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts of the case and approved the abovementioned charges. Cotton currently is detained at the Kankakee County Jerome Combs Detention Center.
Charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.