A Rock Island Woman, whose car was rear ended in a traffic accident Monday evening on South Congress Boulevard at Joe Tittsworth Street, is in trouble with the law for leaving the scene.
Central dispatch received the call at 5:54 p.m.
Smithville Police Officer Stephen Barrett told WJLE that 53 year old Debra Hayes has been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and driving on a revoked license due to previous DUI’s in two other states. She was also cited for violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance). Her bond totals $7,500 and she will be in court August 8.
According to Officer Barrett, the accident occurred when 43 year old Kimberly Griffin of Smithville, driving south in a 2002 Land Rover, rear ended Hayes’ 1998 Chrysler Sebring, which was also traveling south. Griffin allegedly claims she fell asleep at the wheel and awoke upon impact. A witness said Griffin’s vehicle flipped over during the crash but came to rest upright.
After her car was rear ended, Hayes left the scene and drove about a half mile to Jewel’s Market, where she got out and went in the store. A witness reported the incident and Officer James Cornelius went to the store where he confronted Hayes and then brought her back to the scene of the accident where she was subsequently placed under arrest by Officer Barrett.
Griffin was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital. She has been cited for following too closely and for violation of the financial responsibility law.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the scene.
Archived News & Obituaries