DANVILLE — Joanna Wells, 57, of Tilton was found guilty by a Vermilion County jury of possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony, and DUI, a class A misdemeanor, on Thursday, June 25 at the Rita B. Garman Courthouse.
According to a release for State’s Attorney’s Office, the People presented evidence that around 3:47 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2024, the Tilton Police Department was dispatched to an alleyway in the area of West 7th Street for a car accident after a Chevrolet Impala struck a concrete retaining wall.
An eye witness testified “the Impala bounced off the ground after striking the concrete wall. The witness testified that after the impact, the defendant revved the engine, and appeared to attempt to leave the scene.” The responding officer testified that he arrived on scene and interviewed the defendant, Joanna Wells.
The officer testified that the defendant’s speech was slurred and he could smell the odor of alcohol. Wells told the officer she had two beers. The officer conducted a breathalyzer test which showed the defendant’s blood alcohol concentrate was 0.16. The officer observed additional indicators of intoxication and testified that the defendant said to him, “You got me.”
The officer testified that subsequent to the defendant’s arrest the vehicle was searched and he located an unlabeled prescription bottle containing 6 pills identified as Hydrocodone. The pills were sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for testing and results returned positive for Hydrocodone. The defendant previously pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence in 2004 and was sentenced to 24 months court supervision.
“State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said, “This defendant’s actions demonstrate her obvious disregard for innocent motorists and pedestrians; a clear threat to public safety,’’ said State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. “I am grateful for the jury’s service.”
Lacy also thanked the Tilton Police Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for their work in these cases.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Layne Roberts and First Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Schneider. The trial was presided over by Judge Karen Wall.
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 7.