Joliet man awaiting sentencing killed in motorcycle crash

A 42-year-old man awaiting sentencing for a robbery charge died after his motorcycle crashed into a car Saturday night in southwest suburban Joliet.

Jermain K. Bennett was driving a motorcycle northbound on Richards Street at a high rate of speed at 10:37 p.m. Saturday when the bike struck the driver’s side of a Dodge Charger at the intersection with Third Avenue, according to Joliet police.

The motorcycle fell on top of Bennett, who was not wearing a helmet, police said.

He was taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. Sunday, according to the Will County coroner’s office.

The driver of the Charger, a 50-year-old woman, was not injured, police said. After the crash, she told the officers they could retrieve her driver’s license from her purse in her car. When they opened the door of her car, there was a strong odor of marijuana, police said.

Prescription pills and marijuana were found in her bag, police said. She was expected to be charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance, but authorities are waiting for the results of a blood test.

Bennett was initially charged in connection with the murder of 39-year-old Sean D. McGinn during a robbery outside the KO Zone Boxing Club at 213 E. Cass St. in Joliet on Aug. 9, 2012, authorities said.

He had since pleaded guilty to a robbery charge and was released on bond on April 27 while he awaited sentencing, though he was supposed to be on house arrest, police said. He was scheduled to testify against his co-defendant and the alleged shooter Kenneth G. Edwards, who is still awaiting trial.