Mt. Carroll officer dropped from Kradle lawsuit, Sheriff’s Office redirects blame

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - The Mt. Carroll police officer, who allowed the man allegedly responsible for Jackson Kradle's death to leave the scene, has been dropped from the family's wrongful death lawsuit.Scott Marth has been a police officer in Carroll County since 1996. He was hired full-time with the Mt. Carroll Police Department in 2019 … Continue reading Mt. Carroll officer dropped from Kradle lawsuit, Sheriff’s Office redirects blame

Savanna Ambulance argues agency not liable for conduct of paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - The Savanna Community Ambulance Association (SCAA) argues their agency is not responsible for an off-duty paramedic's alleged misconduct at scene where Jackson Kradle died. The SCAA is a private nonprofit organization who has been contracted with the City of Savanna to provide ambulance services since 2003, according to the city. The paramedic … Continue reading Savanna Ambulance argues agency not liable for conduct of paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead

Savanna Chief withdraws from primary race against Carroll County Sheriff

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - Savanna Police Chief Donald Stephens has formally withdrawn from the Republican primary race against Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping. Stephens has worked for the Savanna Police Department since Dec. 2021 and became Chief in Nov. 2023. He intended to challenge incumbent Kloepping in the Republican primary for Sheriff in March. On Nov. … Continue reading Savanna Chief withdraws from primary race against Carroll County Sheriff

Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The criminal case against a former deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle is continued for 90 days. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, appeared in court Friday for a pretrial status hearing alongside defense attorney Joe Nack. Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn represented the State. Herpstreith faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide … Continue reading Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A letter sent from the Illinois Department of Public Health says a local EMS organization identified violations in connection to an off-duty paramedic on the day Jackson Kradle was killed. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to comment further about the case but did confirm the … Continue reading State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A small town attorney and a rural Illinois county coroner secured a homicide verdict through an inquest into the death of Jackson Kradle more than two months before any criminal charges were filed. Watch Part 2 of 'Not On My Watch' https://youtu.be/I-cRKsCQBv0?si=0Xo0f73CPC18T49v In the early morning hours of July 28, 2024, … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A family and community were rocked one year ago after an 18-year-old Mt. Carroll man was found dead in the road. Parade in Shannon, Ill. (Janessa Anderson) The man who died was 2024 West Carroll High School graduate Jackson Kradle, who had recently turned 18 when he was struck and killed … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Judge finds probable cause in case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - A judge found sufficient probable cause to proceed in the case against a former Carroll County deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle after the lead investigator was cross-examined by the prosecution and defense during Friday's preliminary hearing. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide and Obstructing … Continue reading Judge finds probable cause in case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle

Defense files motion to substitute judge in Jackson Kradle homicide case

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales
Jackson Kradle memorial at scene where he was killed in July 2024.

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The attorney representing a former Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle filed a motion Monday requesting a substitution for the judge assigned to the homicide case. Now-former deputy Matthew Herpstreith, 44, faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide and Obstructing Justice. He is accused of striking … Continue reading Defense files motion to substitute judge in Jackson Kradle homicide case

Former deputy pleads Not Guilty as pressure mounts on passenger, first-responding officer

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales
Justice for Jackson decals

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - A former Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle pleaded Not Guilty in court Wednesday as pressure mounts on his passenger and the Mt. Carroll police officer who allowed them to leave the scene where Jackson was killed. Now-former deputy Matthew Herpstreith, 44, faces multiple felony charges … Continue reading Former deputy pleads Not Guilty as pressure mounts on passenger, first-responding officer