Nehemiah Williams, 38, of Aurora

An Aurora man faces multiple charges, including reckless homicide for the June 24 hit and run death of Oswego High School softball coach Amanda Stanton.

Nehemiah Williams, 38, was taken into custody at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and is awaiting bond call on June 30.

The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office charges that Williams drove the vehicle that struck and killed Stanton as she walked along Plainfield Road near Oswego.

In addition to reckless homicide, Williams is charged with Leaving the Scene of Motor Vehicle Accident Involving Death, a class 1 Felony, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked Drivers License, a class 4 Felony.

Deputies said a great amount of public support and assistance led to them discovering and recovering a silver 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, which then led them to Williams.

“The recovery of this vehicle has developed multiple leads which investigators are diligently following up with at this time. This ongoing partnership between the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve has proven to be invaluable,” said Deputy Nancy Velez on June 29.

Press releases put out following the discovery of Stanton’s body identified the suspect car as a 2004-2006 silver/gray Chrysler Pacifica. Velez said several dozen public tips and possible sighting calls help lead to the recovery of the vehicle.

“When citizens take the time to assist us and work with law enforcement, it enables us to provide better services and results to the communities we serve,” Velez said. “We would like to thank the community for your vigilance.”

According to the sheriff’s department, Stanton, 26, of Lockport, was found dead around 2:26 p.m. on June 24 near Plainfield Road and Plainsman Court.

Amanda Stanton, 26, former varsity softball coach at Oswego High School.

Deputies were called for reports of an unresponsive woman, and arrived to find Stanton was already deceased.

A lengthy investigation, which closed area streets for hours, led deputies to conclude that Stanton’s death was likely the result of a hit and run traffic collision.
The preliminary investigation determined that Stanton was likely struck as she was walking along the roadway.

The investigation is on-going.

According to Oswego School District 308 officials, Stanton worked as the head coach of the girls’ Oswego High School Softball team for the past three years, but was not a staff member in the district.

“Amanda was one of the best and brightest young women I have had the honor to work with and mentor; she had so much to offer and will be missed by all that were fortunate enough to know her,” said SD308 Athletic Director Darren Howard. “Amanda’s work with the softball program had remarkable results.”

District 308 issued an official statement saying, “As a coach, Stanton was a mentor and friend to many, and her untimely and tragic death certainly has a large impact on the school community. The district has arranged for counselors to be available for any students, coaches, or staff members needing support at this very difficult time.”

School District 308 said it expresses its deepest sympathies to Stanton’s family and friends.

In addition to being the head softball coach at Oswego H.S., Stanton was a strategic math specialist at Jefferson Junior High School in Naperville.

She graduated from Eastern Michigan University and is a 2010 graduate of Lockport Township High School.

Funeral services will be held Monday (June 30) at  Richard J. Modell Funeral Home and Cremation Services  in Homer Glen (full obituary here)  with a funeral Mass at St. Bernard Church in Homer Glen. Visitation will be Sunday (June 29) from 2 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office thanked the following agencies for their assistance; the Kendall County Major Crimes Task Force, the Oswego Police Department, The Yorkville Police Department, The Plano Police Department, the Plainfield Police Department, the Illinois State Police, the Kendall County Criminal Intelligence Team, the Kendall County Auxiliary, and the Kendall County Highway Department.

The department said additional information would be released as the investigation continues.

Anyone with tips or information regarding this incident can email detectives@co.kendall.il.us or call 630-553-5856. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Kendall County Crime Stoppers at 630-553-5999.

—- Aurora man charged in hit and run that killed Oswego coach’  —-