MARSEILLES, Ill. — Joshua N. Muntean, 50, of Sterling, was convicted September 16, 2026, of aggravated DUI resulting in death and a related commercial-vehicle DUI offense, in connection with an August 18, 2023 crash on Interstate 80 near Marseilles that killed 54-year-old Joyce Riskedal of Leland. Muntean is scheduled to be sentenced November 24, 2026. The case was prosecuted in LaSalle County Circuit Court before Judge Michelle A. Vescogni.
By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink | Published September 16, 2026
Case Status
Current status: Convicted at bench trial; awaiting sentencing
Verdict: Guilty on both counts (Sept. 16, 2026)
Charges: Aggravated DUI/crash resulting in death (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)), Class 2 felony; Motor Carrier Law commercial-vehicle DUI (625 ILCS 5/18b-103), Class 4 felony
Case number: 2024CF000041
Sentencing date: November 24, 2026
Custody status: In custody at the LaSalle County Jail
Court: LaSalle County Circuit Court
Presiding judge: Michelle A. Vescogni
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Incident Overview
Date: August 18, 2023
Location: Interstate 80 near Marseilles
Victim: Joyce Riskedal, 54, of Leland
Muntean was driving a Mack truck in a commercial capacity when it collided with a Jeep driven by Riskedal on I-80 near Marseilles, killing her. Prosecutors said she died of multiple traumas from the crash. A urine sample collected from Muntean afterward tested positive for cocaine and its metabolites.
Arrest & Charges
Muntean was charged January 17, 2024, and held with no bond set. A LaSalle County grand jury indicted him January 30, 2024, on two felony counts: aggravated DUI/crash resulting in death, a Class 2 felony carrying 3 to 14 years and requiring at least 85% of any sentence be served under Illinois’ Truth-in-Sentencing Act, and a Class 4 felony violation of the Illinois Motor Carrier Law’s commercial-vehicle DUI provision, carrying 1 to 3 years. He entered a not-guilty plea at arraignment February 5, 2024, and was later released pending trial.
Evidence & Allegations
At trial, the State called eight witnesses, including forensic pathologist Dr. Scott Denton, forensic toxicologist Gavin Parker, forensic scientist Emma Caughman, Illinois State Police Troopers Scott Swanson and John Ritchie, phlebotomist Donna Sheridan, Sgt. Paul Kuhn, and Brad Riskedal, a family member of the victim. Exhibits included crash-scene photos and diagrams, video, written statements, blood and urine samples, and a DUI analysis report.
The defense called one witness, pharmacology and toxicology expert Dr. James O’Donnell III, who testified that a blood draw is the accepted standard for proving intoxication and that Muntean’s urine specimen could reflect residual past use rather than impairment at the time of the crash. Muntean did not testify. Prosecutors, led by Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremiah Adams, argued Illinois’ aggravated DUI statute requires only the presence of a controlled substance, not a specific concentration. Judge Vescogni agreed, and in her written ruling rejected Muntean’s own statement that he had last used cocaine roughly 20 years earlier, calling it incompatible with the trial evidence.
Case Timeline & Proceedings
Jan. 17, 2024 — Charged
Case filed in LaSalle County Circuit Court; no bond set.
Jan. 30, 2024 — Indictment
A LaSalle County grand jury returned indictments on both counts.
Feb. 5, 2024 — Arraignment
Muntean entered a not-guilty plea.
2024–2025 — Pretrial proceedings
The case moved through three defense attorneys — Doug Kramarsic, Paul Koontz, and Michelle McClellan, with Robert Kroeger later joining as additional counsel. A motion for change of venue was denied February 20, 2025. Multiple continuances pushed the trial date back repeatedly.
Nov. 7, 2025 — Jury waived
Muntean waived his right to a jury trial at a final pretrial hearing, setting the case up for a bench trial.
July 15, 2026 — Remote testimony denied
A defense motion to allow a witness to testify remotely was denied.
Aug. 4–10, 2026 — Bench trial
The trial ran two days. The State presented its witnesses and evidence Aug. 4; the defense presented its sole witness, closing arguments were heard, and the case was submitted to the judge Aug. 10.
Sept. 16, 2026 — Guilty verdict
Judge Vescogni found Muntean guilty on both counts. The ruling had originally been set for Sept. 1 before being pushed back three weeks. Muntean was ordered held in the LaSalle County Jail pending sentencing.
Nov. 24, 2026 — Sentencing (scheduled)
Muntean is scheduled to be sentenced and will have the opportunity to address the court.
This story is sourced from LaSalle County Circuit Court records and case filings. Sentencing has not yet occurred; this article will be updated once that hearing concludes.
—Willow Moss