Arrest made in I-57 semi crash

KANKAKEE – Illinois State Police arrested Lisa E. Cotton of Blue Island in connection with Thursday’s crash of a semitractor-trailer on Interstate 57.

According to a news release, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 VCU West arrested 31-year-old Cotton in connection with aggravated reckless driving resulting in injury (a Class 4 felony), leaving the scene of a crash resulting in injury (a Class 3 felony), and failure to report a crash resulting in injury (a Class 2 felony).

The Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts of the case and approved the charges, state police said.

Cotton is scheduled to appear Friday in Kankakee County court for an initial hearing. She currently is detained at the Kankakee County Jerome Combs Detention Center.

State police did not release any information about Cotton’s exact involvement.

About 5:48 a.m. Thursday, Illinois State Police said they responded to a rollover crash that occurred on southbound I-57, near exit 312 in Kankakee.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a semi had overturned and became engulfed in flames. The sole occupant of the vehicle, 57-year-old James C. Denton, was taken to the hospital with significant injuries.

After a thorough investigation, state police special agents identified Cotton as the alleged at-fault driver. They determined that Cotton had left the area immediately after the crash.

That same day, state police patrol units found and apprehended Cotton at her residence in Blue Island.