North Aurora Teen Pleads Guilty in Driving Death of Marmion Student
A North Aurora teenager has pleaded guilty for acting recklessly in the May death of a Marmion High School senior who was scheduled to graduate days later.
Jerin Martin, 18, of the 3000 block of Elleby Court, North Aurora, agreed on Thursday (July 21, 2016) to a sentence of 12 months conditional discharge, 30 hours of community service in exchange for a guilty plea to reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor, in the death of 17-year-old Stephen Woodcock of St. Charles.
Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mueller accepted the plea. The hearing took place at Aurora Branch Court.
The afternoon of May 13, 2016, was the last day of classes for seniors at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora. Students were celebrating the occasion in different ways. According to Kane County prosecutors, Martin began driving his 2011 black Acura MDX in the school’s parking lot. At various times Martin was towing students who were riding on skateboards and holding onto his car.
Stephen Woodcock chose to ride outside the car, standing on a passenger-side running board and using his arms to attempt to balance. At one point Martin accelerated and then braked as he turned to the left. Woodcock lost hold, fell to the ground and rolled forward, striking his head on the pavement.
He was taken by ambulance to the hospital with brain injuries. He died three days later, on May 16, as a result of the injuries.
Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said:
“Every aspect of this case is tragic – the timing, the ages of those involved, and the number of people personally and directly affected by it. It has touched many teenagers and young adults and their parents. Stephen Woodcock’s death occurred at a time when these two young men, their families and their friends should have been celebrating an important milestone.
“As the state’s attorney, I have an obligation and an opportunity here. My obligation is to see that Mr. Martin, whose actions led to Stephen’s death, is held accountable for his criminal conduct. I commend him for accepting responsibility.
“My opportunity is to send a message of deterrence. Cars are not toys. Driving a car requires responsibility and caution. Stephen’s death was not intentional, but it was preventable. Recklessness has consequences.
“I have met with and heard from people with interest in this case. It’s clear to me that Mr. Martin did not intend to harm his friend, and I hope he has learned a powerful lesson. But the fact stands that his conduct was reckless. This resolution strikes a fair balance – it holds Mr. Martin appropriately accountable yet still allows him to move forward with his life and make his mark in a positive way.”
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Greg Sams.
SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.
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