On Thursday, September 10th, the Illinois Madison County State’s Attorney, Tom Gibbons, announced that his office filed DUI charges against the woman who caused a fatal accident while intoxicated. Erin Arras, 44, of Belleville, would need representation from a drunk driving attorney.
The prosecutors charged the defendant with aggravated driving under the influence causing death, a non-probationary Class 2 felony. According to Gibbon’s, on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, officers with the Alton Police Department responded to a call about an auto-motorcycle collision.
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When they arrived at the scene, they found that a car pulling out of the parking lot of Abbott Machine Co., 700 W. Broadway, Alton, struck a motorcycle carrying two people. Natasha J. Dillinger, 27, of Bethalto, the fatal victim, was a passenger on the two-wheeled drive.
The state’s attorney said that the woman died from her injuries on Wednesday afternoon, September 9th, while receiving treatment in a hospital. He noted that Dillinger’s death stems from Arras’ reckless decisions when getting behind her vehicle’s wheel while intoxicated.
The motorcycle rider also suffered injuries, but there’s no update on the individual’s identity and condition. The defendant has a previous DUI in St. Clair County from 2010. As of Thursday, she remained in custody at the APD while awaiting transfer to the Madison County Jail.
Circuit Court Judge Richard Tognarelli set Arras bail bond at $500,000. If convicted of the Class 2 felony, she faces up to 3 to 14 years at the Illinois Department of Corrections.
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The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.