Paris woman charged with DUI in collision that killed two
Bond has been set at $100,000 for a Paris woman charged in connection with an alcohol-related crash Sunday night that killed two people on a county road south of Paris.
Fifty eight year-old Anita Rhodes was charged Tuesday in Edgar County Court with one count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police say Rhodes was traveling south in the northbound lane when her SUV struck a car driven by 48 year-old Lester Shumaker after he attempted to avoid the head on collision by steering his car into the southbound lane.
Merrilyn E. Shumaker, 71, and Micheala Maye Fitzsimmons, 17, were passengers in Shumaker's car and were killed.
Another passenger in Shumaker's car is at a Peoria hospital in good condition.
Rhodes is due back in court on Nov. 28 with an attorney.
It was my wife's aunt that was killed. It was her son that was driving, and her grandkids in the car with her. It was a very sad call to get late Sunday night.
I have mixed feelings about it. The lady driving had a choice. She was drunk, and made the choice to take the risk and drive. I don't believe she thought she was going to kill anyone, but anyone that drinks and drives knows that risk extends to everyone on the road with them.
Since she's bailed herself out of jail, she gets to spend her time with her family, while we attend the funeral. She can pay her lawyers keep it in court, but sooner or later you'll have to pay for her grave mistake. And then her husband, and her kids, and her grandkids will suffer in her absense. Everyone loses when this happens.
With her current charges, she faces 6 to 28 years, with no good behavior credit available. Meaning she has to serve full time for her crime. Anita may be missing many more holidays. My wife's aunt, and her grand daughter will miss them all, as all will miss them.
michaela fitzsimmons was a sweet girl and mary was so kind to ever one this is so sad.what happend to them is sad and the love and smile are gone for ever. we will never get to see them again. christmas with out them with us is going be so hard for us. and this lady gets to be with her family for christmas. that is so wrong. she get to family time with her family thats so wrong to.iam so sad i love you mary and michaela
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