Griggsville Woman Charged With Murder After Allegedly Steering Into Semi on U.S. 54, Killing 73-Year-Old Passenger

Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said investigators concluded driver Jamie L. Rhode purposely steered into the path of an oncoming semi-tractor trailer near Atlas Hill on July 24, allegedly intending to kill everyone in her car. Passenger Cherie K. Wells, 73, of Pittsfield later died. Rhode was arrested on October 20 on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder — allegations she is presumed innocent of unless proven guilty.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk21 October 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

A July highway crash in Pike County, Illinois, is now a murder case. Jamie L. Rhode of Griggsville was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, and lodged in the Pike County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, River News Live reported, citing Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood. A syndicated report of the same sheriff's announcement, carried by WENG Radio and Spot On Florida, reported the same charges and arrest.

Sheriff 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. One passenger, 73-year-old Cherie K. Wells of Pittsfield, later died from her injuries in St. Louis County, Missouri, according to the sheriff.

Investigators determined that Rhode, who was driving the car, purposely steered into the path of the oncoming semi with the alleged intent to kill all occupants of her vehicle, Greenwood said. A warrant for Rhode's arrest was signed on Friday, October 16, by Judge J. Frank McCartney, and she was arrested on October 20 after the investigation into the July collision.

The charges are allegations. Rhode is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, and no trial date was reported in the sheriff's announcement. U.S. 54 over Atlas Hill is a rural two-lane corridor used by local traffic and trucks crossing west-central Illinois. Sources: River News Live, reporting Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood, October 20, 2026; WENG Radio / Spot On Florida syndication of the sheriff's announcement, October 21, 2026.