Tilton woman found guilty of DUI, possession of pills in 2024 accident

VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- A 57-year-old Tilton woman was found guilty of driving under the influence during a 2024 incident -- which came 20 years after she committed the same crime. On June 25, Joanna Wells was found guilty by a Vermilion County jury of possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony, and driving under the influence -- blood alcohol concentrate over 0.08, a Class A misdemeanor. This case was presided over by Assistant State's Attorney Layne Roberts and First Assistant State's Attorney Kevin Schnieder. The trial was presided over by Judge Karen Wall. In this case, the People presented evidence that on Sept. 17, 2024, around 3:47 p.m., the Tilton Police Department was dispatched to an alleyway in the area of West 7th Street for a car accident after a car struck a concrete retaining wall. An eyewitness then testified the car bounced off the ground after striking the wall. They also said after the impact, Wells revved the engine and appeared to attempt to leave the scene. The responding officer testified that he arrived on scene and interviewed Wells. The officer said her speech was slurred and that he could smell the odor of alcohol. Despite this, Wells told the officer she only drank two beers. The officer then conducted a breathalyzer test, which showed that Wells' blood alcohol concentrate was 0.16. The officer saw additional indicators of intoxication and testified that Wells told him, "You got me." The officer said that after Wells' arrest, the vehicle was searched, and he found an unlabeled prescription bottle containing six pills identified as Hydrocodone. The pills were sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for testing, and the results returned positive for Hydrocodone. Wells previously pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in a 2004 incident and was sentenced to 24 months court supervision. In this most recent case, Wells is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 7. "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."