Batavia woman gets supervision for crashing into Centennial Beach

A 25-year-old Batavia woman was given two years' court supervision Tuesday for driving drunk earlier this year and crashing her car through a perimeter fence at Centennial Beach in Naperville.

Abbey L. Potter of the 1200 block of Crestview Drive also must pay fines, spend three days in the sheriff's work alternative program, and pay nearly $3,000 in restitution to Naperville Park District.

DuPage County Associate Judge Cary Pierce handed down the sentence after Potter pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of cannabis and driving on the sidewalk.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped five other charges stemming from the 1:30 a.m. May 16 crash.

Police said Potter drove a 2004 Hyundai Sonata through the fence surrounding the man-made beach at 500 W. Jackson Ave.

The car left the roadway at the intersection of Ewing Street and Jackson Avenue, prosecutors said. After knocking over a large section of the 8-foot-tall chain-link fence, the car traveled about 500 feet before coming to rest in the sand. A fire hydrant was knocked over along the way.

According to prosecutors, Potter, who was not injured, told police at the scene she had no idea what happened and that she experienced a blackout while driving. At the time, her blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit of .08, authorities said.

Potter's defense attorney described what happened as "a rare incident." On the night of the crash, Potter was in "great turmoil" because her fiance broke off their engagement.

And since the crash, Potter hasn't consumed alcohol or smoked marijuana, the defense attorney said.

Before her sentencing, Potter expressed remorse. "I just feel really bad about everything," she told the judge.