GRIGGSVILLE WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL ATLAS HILL CRASH

PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — A Griggsville woman has been arrested on murder and attempted murder charges stemming from a deadly head-on crash on U.S. 54 near Atlas Hill. Investigators allege the collision in July was deliberately caused.

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

Three occupants of the passenger vehicle were injured and taken to medical facilities for treatment. One of those passengers, 73-year-old Cherie K. Wells of Pittsfield, later died from her injuries in St. Louis County, Missouri.

According to Greenwood, investigators determined that the driver of the car, Jamie L. Rhode of Griggsville, purposely steered into the path of the oncoming semi with the alleged intent to kill all occupants of her vehicle.

A warrant for Rhode's arrest was signed Friday, October 16, by Judge J. Frank McCartney. The warrant charges her with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

Rhode was arrested Tuesday, October 20, and was lodged in the Pike County Jail. The charges follow an investigation into the July collision, which originally prompted an emergency response for a serious traffic crash.

The accusations against Rhode are allegations. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.