Woman accused of intentionally crashing into oncoming semi, killing 73-year-old passenger

PIKE COUNTY, Ill. (WGEM/Gray News) — An Illinois woman has been arrested on first-degree murder charges following a July crash that investigators allege was intentional.

Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said deputies responded July 24 at 7:54 p.m. to a head-on collision between a passenger car and a semitruck pulling a trailer on U.S. 54 near the top of Atlas Hill.

Three occupants in the passenger vehicle were injured and taken to a hospital, Greenwood said.

One of those passengers, 73-year-old Cherie Wells of Pittsfield, later died from her injuries in St. Louis County, Missouri.

Deputies determined during the investigation that the driver, identified as Jaime Rhode of Griggsville, purposely steered in front of the oncoming semi with the intent to kill all occupants in her vehicle, Greenwood said.

An arrest warrant was signed Friday charging Rhode with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

Rhode was arrested Tuesday and booked in the Pike County Jail.