Ehorn Adams Funeral Home

Steven Thomas, 26, of Richmond, died Aug. 11 after his organs were harvested for donation, said his mother, Becky Thomas.The man who authorities said collided with Thomas' motorcycle on Aug. 10 — Christian Heaney, 44, of Johnsburg — was initially charged with aggravated DUI causing injury and released from custody after posting bond. But after Thomas died, authorities increased the charge to aggravated DUI causing death, and Heaney appeared in court on the new charge on Tuesday.Heaney was driving a silver 2014 Range Rover southbound on U.S. Highway 12 in Richmond, near the Wisconsin state line, when he collided with Thomas and his motorcycle, according to court documents. Thomas was pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.With the enhanced charge against Heaney, his bond was increased tenfold, to $250,000. In McHenry County court Tuesday, Heaney's lawyer, Mark Facchini, sought to have his client's bond lowered to $100,000, saying Heaney was not a threat to the public. That was denied, but hours after the hearing, Heaney posted the required $25,000 and was released.Thomas grew up in Richmond, working on farms in the rural community both before and since he graduated from Richmond-Burton High School in 2008, his mother said. He was employed by Geils Farms in Harvard for the last four years, she said."He was a very hard worker, but he loved what he was doing," Becky Thomas said.Thomas participated in football and weightlifting at Richmond-Burton and was a fan of county fairs, tractor pulls and bowling.His mother said Thomas enjoyed lending a hand — "He'd help anybody and everybody," she said — and noted that, even in death, he was still helping others through the donation of his organs.Besides his mom, Thomas is survived by his father Ted and sister Samantha.Visitation for Steven Thomas is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home, 10011 Main St. in Richmond, with a memorial service starting at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter; Kate... (Chicago Tribune)

CaptionCommunity members, friends and family honor Steven Thomas, 26, who was killed last week in a motorcycle crash by driving their tractors in the funeral procession to Stade's Farm Market in McHenry Thursday, August 18, 2016.Steven Thomas, 26, of Richmond, died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, after being injured in a Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2016, crash on Route 12 in Richmond.Sarah NaderCaptionSarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.comWalter Bruhn drives his tractor in the parade Thursday, August 14, 2016 in McHenry while community members honor Steven Thomas, 26, who was killed laster week in a motorcycle crash.Sarah NaderCaptionSarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.comThe first tractor Steven Thomas ever rode leads the procession to Stade's Farm Market in McHenry on Thursday, August 18, 2016. Thomas, 26, of Richmond, was killed last week in a motorcycle crash.Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.comCaptionCommunity members, friends and family honor Steven Thomas, 26, who was killed last week in a motorcycle crash by driving their tractors in the funeral procession to Stade's Farm Market in McHenry Thursday, August 18, 2016.RICHMOND – Tractors and trucks from around the area drove down the streets of Richmond on Thursday in honor of a man killed last week.Steven Thomas, 26, died from injuries from a motorcycle crash last week after an SUV T-boned him on Route 12. Christian Heaney, 44, of Johnsburg, was arrested and charged with aggravated driving under the influence at the time of the wreck. His charges have since been upgraded to aggravated DUI causing the death of another person.Richmond-area residents have rallied together after the tragedy and honored Thomas on Thursday with a truck and tractor parade after his funeral service at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home in Richmond.Steven Thomas and Ryan Stade had been friends for 15 years. They both worked on farms in the area, had a lot in common and talked shop daily. He was the kind of guy you could always count on, Stade said.“It’s been rough, but everyone is there for each other,” he said. ... (Northwest Herald)