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William J. Marietta

Age : 74

Gender : Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 09/26/2023

Location : Voorhees Street and Gilbert Street

City : Danville

County : Vermilion

State : Illinois

Agency : Danville Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

REASON FOR CHASE:
Danville police attempted to stop a driver they knew had a revoked license after observing erratic driving and the vehicle striking a curb.
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NARRATIVE:
On 09/26/2023, 74-year-old William Marietta of Danville was fatally injured when a fleeing Ford Escape crashed into the Chevrolet Silverado he was driving during a Danville Police Department chase.
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At approximately 6:30 p.m., Danville officers saw the Ford near Bowman Avenue and Fairchild Street. Police said they knew the driver had a revoked Illinois driver's license and then observed the vehicle driving erratically and striking a curb near Bowman Avenue and May Street. Officers activated their emergency lights and siren and attempted a traffic stop. The driver accelerated away.
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During the chase, police reported seeing the driver throw a handgun from the vehicle near the 900 block of Norman Street. One officer stopped to recover the gun while other officers continued the chase west on Voorhees Street. The Ford ran the red light at Voorhees and Vermilion streets. Pursuing officers had to stop for the red light, leaving the fleeing vehicle several blocks ahead.
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At Voorhees and Gilbert streets, the Ford crashed into Marietta's Silverado. Marietta and his 33-year-old passenger were ejected and seriously injured. Marietta later died from his injuries. Illinois State Police investigated the fatal crash.
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The fleeing driver, Jaylin J. Butler, was later arrested and charged with offenses including reckless homicide and aggravated fleeing and eluding. In October 2024, Butler pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Danville Police Department officers involved in the chase were not identified in available reporting.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2023/09/27/86507/
https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2023/10/18/arrest-made-in-sept-26th-gilbert-voorhees-accident-that-killed-danville-man-74/
https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2024/10/24/armed-felon-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-to-reckless-homicide-motor-vehicle-and-unlawful-possession-of-a-weapon/