CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – A former Carroll County deputy charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle was granted another continuance at Friday’s court hearing.
Matthew Herpstreith, 45, of Savanna, is facing several charges including Reckless Homicide, a Class 3 Felony, as well as Reckless Conduct, and Obstruction of Justice, both Class 4 Felonies.
Herpstreith has also been named in a sweeping wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kradle’s family last summer.
On Friday, Herpstreith returned to court after the case had been continued twice in the past six months.
Latest details.
On Feb. 9, the defense filed a Motion for Bill of Particulars requesting specific details about the investigation as well as which documents, evidence or witnesses prosecutors will rely on at trial.
On Friday, prosecutors filed their Response to the defense’s requests.
Also, the defense asked the Court to unseal recently filed search warrant documents. In response, Special Prosecutor Colburn told the Court the warrants were associated with obtaining cell phone records.
In June, Colburn revealed investigators had obtained cell phone records of Herpstreith, and his passenger Amy Hubble, of which showed Hubble had deleted a text message she sent to Herpstreith shortly after the alleged incident.
Regarding the need for another continuance, the defense told the Court they had not yet received a final report from their accident reconstruction expert.
Despite another delay, Colburn said the case remains on schedule and is moving at a normal pace for this type of case.
A status hearing was then scheduled for May 15 at 3 p.m. at the Carroll County Courthouse in Mt. Carroll.
PREVIOUS UPDATES
On Jan. 16, 2025, a coroner’s jury ruled Kradle’s death was a homicide, finding the driver, identified as Herpstreith, was negligent when he ran into and over Kradle with his truck.
On March 24, 2025, a Special Prosecutor formally charged Herpstreith and he was served a Notice to Appear.
On April 23, Herpstreith pleaded Not Guilty and was subsequently booked and released at the Carroll County Jail.
On June 13, a judge found sufficient probable cause to move forward with the case but granted pretrial release.
On Aug. 8, prosecutors informed the Court discovery was completed.
A judge granted the defense’s request for a 90 day continuation to review discovery with acquired medical and accident reconstruction experts.
On Nov. 21, a judge granted another 90 day continuation for the defense to continue reviewing discovery.
Allegations.
Herpstreith is accused of being intoxicated when he ran into and over Kradle with his truck on Illinois Route 78 near Mt. Carroll at around 3:30 a.m. July 28, 2024
Furthermore, prosecutors say Herpstreith is the man seen on video at a Savanna car wash spraying the bottom of his truck to destroy evidence just 30 minutes after reporting finding Kradle’s body.
According to inquest testimony, and audio of his interviews with state police, Herpstreith initially told investigators he swerved around the body and claimed to be a passerby reporting it to authorities.
When questioned about the allegations under oath at a coroner’s inquest, held in January 2025, Herpreith invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
According to an autopsy report, Kradle died after being fatally struck by a single vehicle moving at a high speed.
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