CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – A jury trial for the criminal case against a now-former deputy charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle is set to begin next week after a jury was seated in Carroll County.
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.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER
MATTHEW HERPSTREITH
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
June 2018 – July 2024
City of Savanna Police Department
Aug. 2017 – Jan. 2024
Source: ILETSB
Herpstreith is accused of not keeping a proper lookout and being inattentive to the roadway after consuming alcohol since late afternoon the prior day, when he allegedly drove his Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck into and over Kradle in the early morning hours of July 28, 2024.
An autopsy revealed Kradle had been fatally struck by a single vehicle, moving at a high speed, shortly before the time Herpstreith reported finding a body.
Prosecutors say Herpstreith lied to police the morning of the incident when he claimed he drove around the body.
Furthermore, Herpstreith is accused of trying to destroy evidence by taking his truck to a car wash immediately after leaving the scene.
Investigators recovered biological material they say matches Kradle’s DNA, and pieces of fabric from his shorts, on the bottom of Herpstreith’s truck.
In March 2025, Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn formally charged Herpstreith.
Herpstreith pleaded Not Guilty.
On Nov. 9, jury selection was held in Carroll County court where 12 jurors were seated for trial, plus two alternates.
A jury trial is set to begin Nov. 16 at 8:45 a.m. in Carroll County court.
The trial is expected to last five days.
Tune into kylejbales.com for daily trial coverage where there will be a new article published each evening.
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PRIOR COVERAGE:
Jury selection begins Monday for trial against former deputy charged in Jackson Kradle homicide case
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – Jury selection is set to begin Monday morning for the criminal trial against a former deputy charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle.
Judge issues 2 rulings Thursday in Kradle homicide case as each side prepares for November trial
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – A judge issued two new rulings at a status hearing Thursday for the criminal case against a former deputy charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle as each side gears up for a jury trial set to begin in Carroll County next month.
Prosecutors seek immunity for key witness to testify against former deputy charged in Kradle homicide
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – Prosecutors are asking the Court to grant immunity for a key witness to testify against a former deputy charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle in Carroll County, Illinois.
Judge rejects request to drop charges, toss out evidence of intoxication in Jackson Kradle homicide case
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – A judge ruled in favor of prosecutors in the Jackson Kradle homicide case after the defense sought to have two felony charges dropped along with tossing out evidence of alleged intoxication.
Jury trial dates set in Jackson Kradle homicide case as defense files motion to dismiss charges
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – Jury trial dates have been set in the criminal case for the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle as the defense files a motion to dismiss charges.
‘Where’s the cops?’: 3 county employees remain implicated in death of Jackson Kradle 2 years later
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. — Three former Carroll County employees are not yet off the hook for their involvement in the tragic death of Jackson Kradle two years ago.
Criminal trial for former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle could begin as early as November
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – The former deputy, who is charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle, returned to court as we approach the two-year mark since the fatal crash.
Defense team formally submits expert report in Jackson Kradle homicide case
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – The legal team representing a now-former Carroll County Sheriff’s deputy, charged in the 2024 death of Jackson Kradle, has formally handed over a report produced by hired experts to recreate the fatal collision.
Carroll County State’s Attorney Aaron Kaney formally submits resignation
CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – Carroll County State’s Attorney Aaron Kaney has formally submitted his resignation to the county board effective March 22.
WATCH: Full breakdown of the Jackson Kradle death investigation one year after inquest
What started as a typical July Saturday night in Mount Carroll, Illinois, ended in tragedy. A family, and community, rocked by the mysterious death of a young man, desperately waited nearly six months for answers. On Jan. 16, 2025, a Coroner’s jury ruled Jackson Kradle’s 2024 death was a Homicide after they were presented with…
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