STORY YOUMISSED
Court and arrest records reveal 33-year-old Faymond Johnson, charged with reckless homicide in the wrong-way DuSable Lake Shore Drive crash that killed VA nurse Yoketha Brown, has previous Chicago Police arrests for aggravated battery of a police officer and domestic battery.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with official charges filed by Chicago police, public court records detailing the suspect’s prior arrest history, and the identity of the victim released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Chicago police have charged a 33-year-old man with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI following a violent, late-night wrong-way crash on DuSable Lake Shore Drive that took the life of a dedicated healthcare worker and mother.
Authorities identified the accused driver as Faymond Johnson, a resident of the 1900 block of South St. Louis Avenue in Chicago.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office publicly identified the victim as 35-year-old Chicago resident Yoketha L. Brown.
The fatal three-car collision occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Sunday in the 4000 block of DuSable Lake Shore Drive near the Oakwood Boulevard exit.
According to police investigators, Johnson was operating a black SUV traveling southbound in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed.
The speeding SUV collided head-on with a white sedan operated by Brown.
The intense impact of the initial collision forced Brown’s sedan into a third vehicle, triggering a chain-reaction crash with a nearby black coupe.
Paramedics with the Chicago Fire Department rushed to the scene and transported Brown to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Medical staff pronounced Brown dead a short time later due to severe blunt force trauma.
No other drivers or passengers involved in the three-vehicle wreck sustained physical injuries.
Responding officers placed Johnson into custody at 12:06 a.m. Monday in the 3900 block of South Lake Shore Drive, less than an hour after the fatal wreck.
Cook County prosecutors formally charged Johnson with one felony count of reckless homicide with a motor vehicle and one felony count of aggravated DUI causing death.
Johnson also faces a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence of alcohol, along with multiple traffic citations.
Court records indicate Johnson is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building located at 2600 South California Avenue.
Prior Chicago Police Arrest History
A review of public law enforcement records reveals Johnson has a documented history of arrests by the Chicago Police Department in recent years.
In December 2022, Chicago police arrested Johnson in the 1900 block of South St. Louis Avenue on multiple violent offense charges.
During that December 2022 incident, CPD charged Johnson with three counts of felony aggravated battery to a peace officer, one count of domestic battery involving physical contact, and two counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Records show Johnson was previously arrested by Chicago police in March 2014 in the 13500 block of West Estes Avenue in Rogers Park, where he was charged with misdemeanor battery involving physical contact and released on an I-Bond.
Tributes Honor Dedicated Nurse and Mother
News of Brown’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across social media from heartbroken friends, family, and fellow healthcare workers who remembered her as a dedicated VA nurse and mother.
“She was a VA nurse,” one community member shared online. “We’re losing one of our own.”
Loved ones expressed deep anguish over the sudden loss of the healthcare hero.
“God please give me strength I’m not as strong as you think I am I feel so weak you broke me Ke,” one loved one posted on Facebook.
Colleagues who worked alongside Brown expressed shock upon arriving at work Monday morning to news of the tragedy.
“I walked in this morning to get this news. My heart is shattered into pieces. It will not be the same without you here.” A coworker wrote.
Friends emphasized her relentless work ethic and deep devotion to her young child.
“To the family of Ketha Key I send my condolences and to her baby girl your mom stood on business for you,” another friend posted. “Yoketha girl I’m HURT.”
As charges were finalized against Johnson, community members continued calling for full accountability for the loss of the beloved nurse.
“Release the person in custody name,” one user demanded online prior to the official charge release. “She deserves justice, driving is a privilege not a right! Justice for Her.”
The Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigation Unit is continuing its probe into the collision.
