On the evening of April 20, 2021, Judson University students Dallas Colburn and Nathanael Madison were returning back to campus with two of their friends after a munchies run before a night of studying when their lives were instantly taken from them in a shattering traffic collision just yards away from their destination.
23-year-old Trevon Morris of Elgin, one of the authors of their destruction, has now been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
On that evening, Morris was driving a 2013 Hyundai, co-defendant Kahleel L. Steele, 23, was driving a 2011 Jeep and co-defendant Manny Pittenturf, 24, was driving a 2012 Kia at excessive speeds north on Illinois Route 31, north of Big Timber Road in Elgin. Morris and Steele were street racing with Pittenturf close behind.
Morris’ Hyundai collided with a 2004 Pontiac that was turning left from southbound Route 31 onto Judson Drive. Colburn, 22, of Plano, Illinois, and Madison, 22, of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, were ejected from the Pontiac and died. Two others in the Pontiac survived.
Authorities determined that Morris was traveling in excess of 35 mph over the posted 45 mph speed limit at impact. He had more than 5 ng/ml of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his blood and did not have a valid driver’s license. Steele was traveling in excess of 35 mph over the posted 45 mph speed limit and was unlawfully in possession of marijuana. Pittenturf was traveling in excess of 35 mph and did not have a valid driver’s license.
On October 20, Morris pleaded guilty to the offense of Aggravated DUI causing death, a Class 2 felony. Today, it was announced that Judge John A. Barsanti sentenced Morris to 12 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“The defendant’s actions in this tragic crash were completely preventable,” stated Assistant State’s Attorney Katy Flannagan. “He made a series of poor choices to speed, race his friends and drive under the influence of cannabis that has destroyed four families and taken the lives of two bright young men. This sentence sends a strong message that speeding and driving while under the influence of cannabis is dangerous, illegal and can end lives.”
The cases against Steele and Pittenturf are pending. Pittenturf’s whereabouts are unknown. He last was seen August 12, 2021, during a remote court hearing and is wanted on an arrest warrant. Anyone with information about Pittenturf should call Elgin Police Investigations at (847) 289-2600.
