Adrienne Wheeler, 37, of Naperville has been charged in connection with the May 1 traffic crash that claimed the life of a 29-year-old motorcycle passenger.
May 1, 2024, at 5:02 p.m., Aurora Police were dispatched to Butterfield Road and Savannah Drive for a traffic crash involving a motorcycle. During the preliminary investigation, officers determined a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling eastbound on Butterfield Road and attempted to make a U-turn in the roadway. While turning, a 1990 Harley Davidson motorcycle, also traveling eastbound, collided with the driver’s side of the Suburban.
Traffic Crash Investigators from the Aurora Police Department’s Traffic Division determined that Wheeler was making a food delivery and intended to turn left from a private strip mall drive onto westbound Butterfield Road. After being delayed by another vehicle in front of her, Wheeler switched lanes toturn right and proceeded eastbound on Butterfield. Within a few seconds, Wheeler attempted an unsafe U-turn from the curbside lane to travel westbound on Butterfield, entering the path of the Harley traveling in the median lane of eastbound Butterfield. The collision ejected Nicole Ross, the passenger on the Harley, who was subsequently struck by a third vehicle traveling westbound on Butterfield.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross announce that Adrienne N. Wheeler has been charged with:
- Reckless Homicide
- Aggravated Reckless Driving
- Failure to Signal When Required
- Improper Lane Usage
- Improper U-Turn on Roadway
A warrant for Wheeler’s arrest was obtained September 19, and she was taken into custody on October 2. Wheeler went to a pretrial release hearing the following day and was released by the court.
Charges are not proof of guilt. The defendant listed in this release is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial, at which it is the burden of the State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.