Rodriguez convicted of Reckless Homicide and Aggravated Unlawful Use of an Electronic Communication Device

[September 23, 2021]    On September 21, 2021, a Logan County jury convicted Adriana Rodriguez (d.o.b. 11/10/91) of Reckless Homicide and Aggravated Unlawful Use of an Electronic Communication Device.

Over a two-day jury trial, Logan County State’s Attorney Bradley M. Hauge presented evidence that in November of 2017, Rodriguez was traveling on I-55 southbound when she lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle crossed the grass median and crashed into northbound traffic, killing one person. During the subsequent investigation, the Illinois State Police obtained Rodriguez’s cell phone records. The cell phone records showed that prior to the crash, Rodriguez had travelled 88 miles in 61 minutes for an average rate of speed of 86.5 miles per hour. The cell phone records also showed that during that same time and while driving Rodriguez received 47 text messages and sent 42 messages, the last of which were delivered seconds before the crash.

Rodriguez’s sentencing hearing is set for November 30, 2021, before Judge Thomas Funk, who presided over the jury trial. Rodriguez faces between 2 and 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections; however, probation is an option.

As mobile technology increases, so does distracted driving. Driving while talking, texting, and emailing is a growing threat to community safety. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018 and another 3,142 lives in 2019.

“The Logan County State’s Attorney’s Office stays committed to eliminating this unnecessary risk and strongly believes no conversation or text is worth the potential danger,” said Bradley Hauge. “While no one should have to suffer a loss of a loved one in this way, I’m thankful that the victim’s family and friends can feel some justice,” Hauge continued. “I’m also grateful that the jury saw this case for what it is: a foreseeable and preventable tragedy that was caused by the defendant’s selfish actions.”

[Bradley Hauge
Logan County State's Attorney]