Friday, June 24, 2016 | 2 a.m.
Mike Thornton was elated to learn Wednesday that the woman accused of hitting his motorcycle with her car, killing his wife, had been taken back into custody.
"Awesome," the Woodstock, Ill. man said upon hearing the news that Sheree Ann Shaw was detained by U.S. Marshals in Las Vegas after she failed to show up for a court date in McHenry County two weeks ago. "I was kind of nervous about her never being caught. ... That's great news."
Authorities allege that Shaw, of Twin Lakes, Wis., was under the influence of heroin while behind the wheel May 6 when her car crossed the center line of Richmond Road in McHenry and collided with the Harley-Davidson Thornton was driving, seriously injuring Thornton and his wife, Amy.
Shaw was taken into custody and charged with not having a valid driver's license. She was freed on bond and returned to Wisconsin.
Weeks later, after Amy Thornton, 42, died from her injuries and toxicology testing revealed the alleged heroin in Shaw's system, Shaw was detained in her hometown and more serious charges were lodged against her in McHenry County, including aggravated DUI causing death.
But authorities in Walworth County, Wis., released Shaw on a $2,500 recognizance bond, and a McHenry County judge issued a warrant for her arrest when she failed to show up in court June 7.
McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Combs said Shaw was detained Wednesday in Las Vegas, where she had gone to visit family. Shaw, 45, is expected to be extradited to McHenry County within the next 30 days.
Combs said it is "highly unlikely" a judge sets another bond after she's fled now from two states.
Mike Thornton said he and his wife, a nurse at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock for 20 years, had taken the day off work to ride to Lake Geneva, Wis. They were on their way to Mike Thornton's parents' house in McHenry when the crash occurred. Amy Thornton died nine days later, just after their son Zachary graduated from high school and their younger son Michael from middle school.
A celebration of Amy Thornton's life is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday at Woodstock Moose Lodge 1329, 406 Clay St.
An online fundraiser has been established for the Thornton family at gofundme.com/23madjw.
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