Police seek Elburn woman indicted in 2009 fatal crash

Kane County authorities are seeking a 45-year-old Elburn woman indicted on multiple felony charges this week stemming from a 2009 crash that killed a McHenry County man.

Linda L. Knotts, of the 300 block of Dempsey Street, faces charges of reckless homicide, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and driving under the influence in connection to allegations she was driving with cocaine in her system when she caused the March 20, 2009 crash.

A $500,000 warrant for Knotts' arrest has been issued, but she remains out of custody and Kane County Sheriff's police are asking anyone aware of her whereabouts to call them at (630) 444-1130 or call their local police department.

"We believe she does know about the warrant, but has chosen not to turn herself in," sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said. "It doesn't sound like she's fled the jurisdiction."

Authorities say Knotts was driving on Route 47 near Merrill Road in Sugar Grove Township when her pickup truck swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a van and killed its driver, 54-year-old William McKenzie of Marengo.

According to testimony before a coroner's jury last year, witnesses called police before the crash, complaining that Knotts had been driving erratically and "at a high rate of speed."

Sheriff's police had ticketed Knotts about 15 minutes before the crash for passing in a no-passing zone. McKenzie's family is now suing the department, claiming deputies should have arrested Knotts during the traffic stop for driving under the influence.

According to the indictment, Knotts was driving with cocaine in her system and was in possession of less than 15 grams of cocaine at the time of the crash.

If convicted of the most serious charge, possession with intent to deliver, she would faces a maximum sentence of three to seven years in prison. Reckless homicide is punishable by two to five years in prison.