PIKE COUNTY - A woman was arrested Oct. 20, 2026, on murder charges after investigators alleged she deliberately steered a car into an oncoming semitruck in Pike County, killing a passenger and injuring others.
Jaime L. Rhode, of Griggsville, faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder stemming from the July 24, 2026, crash on U.S. 54 near the top of Atlas Hill, according to the Pike County Sheriff’s Department.
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Sheriff David Greenwood said the head-on collision occurred about 7:54 p.m. on July 24 between a passenger vehicle driven by Rhode and a semitruck pulling a trailer. All three occupants of the passenger vehicle were injured and taken to different medical facilities.
One passenger, Cherie K. Wells, 73, of Pittsfield, later died from her injuries in St. Louis County, Missouri, authorities said.
Investigators allege Rhode intentionally steered into the path of the semitruck with the intent to kill everyone in her vehicle.
The sheriff’s department submitted its investigative report to the Pike County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. Judge J. Frank McCartney signed an arrest warrant Oct. 16.
Rhode was being held at the Pike County Jail following her arrest.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
