Crime · Pike County
Woman Charged With Murder After Allegedly Crashing Into Semi on U.S. 54 in Pike County
A Pike County, Illinois woman identified as Jaime Rhode of Griggsville was arrested Tuesday on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder following a July 24 head-on collision with a semitruck on U.S. 54 near Atlas Hill. The crash injured three occupants of the passenger vehicle; 73-year-old Cherie Wells of Pittsfield later died from her injuries in St. Louis County, Missouri. Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said investigators determined Rhode purposely steered in front of the oncoming semi with intent to kill all occupants in her vehicle. An arrest warrant was signed Friday and Rhode was booked in the Pike County Jail.