Illinois sheriff's deputy charged in death of 18-year-old from Mount Carroll

A former Carroll County Sheriff's deputy has been charged in the death of an 18-year-old man from Mount Carroll.

According to the Illinois State Police, the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor charged the former deputy Matthew Herpstreith, 44, of Savanna, on Monday. Herpstreith received pre-trial release and will appear in court on April 17.

Herpstreith faces charges of reckless homicide, reckless conduct, obstructing justice, attempt obstructing justice and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

On July 28, 2024, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Illinois State Police investigate the death of a man found lying in the middle of Illinois Route 78 about 3:30 a.m., the state police said in a news release issued Monday. That man was later identified as Jackson Kradle. Kradle was pronounced deceased on scene.

The Carroll County Coroner held in inquest in January and ruled Kradle's death a homicide. The inquest revealed that Kradle had a blood alcohol content level of .192 and had THC present in his system at the time of his death. He was lying face down in the road when he was struck by a truck driven by Herpstreith.

Herpstreith and another sheriff's department employee, who was a passenger in Herpstreith's truck the night of the crash, resigned from their jobs following the crash.

Carroll County Sheriff Ryan released the following statement on social media Monday.

"This case has weighed heavily on our community, our office and most importantly, on Mr. Kradle's family and loved ones. From the moment this heartbreaking vent occurred, our priority has been ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation. That is why, within hours of the incident, we requested the Illinois State Police to take over the investigation, ensuring an independent review. We are grateful for their diligence and professionalism in bringing this investigation to conclusion, and we trust that the legal process will now proceed appropriately."

Corina Curry is the editor of the Rockford Register Star. ​