Rankin man charged with aggravated battery after rock thrown at motorcyclist on Route 9

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A man from Rankin is facing multiple charges after prosecutors said he threw a rock at a motorcyclist on Route 9 earlier this week, hitting him in the head and damaging his bike.

James Miller described to WCIA how he was driving down Route 9 when his headlights illuminated a tree, just as two people appeared from behind it. Within seconds, a rock bounded off of the front fender of Miller’s Harley Davidson and hit him in the head.

Two days later, Vermilion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two people, including Michael Hoit, Sr.

Prosecutors said Hoit is charged with five counts:

• Aggravated battery causing great bodily harm (a Class 3 felony)
• Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (a Class 3 felony)
• Aggravated battery on a public way (a Class 3 felony)
• Reckless conduct (a Class 4 felony)
• Criminal damage to property (a Class A misdemeanor)

Hoit’s first court appearance was on Wednesday. He was denied pretrial release the following day.

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