Lake Villa Township woman accepts guilty plea for fatal crash

A Lake Villa Township woman has pleaded guilty to having cocaine in her system when she caused an accident that killed a Lake Villa motorcyclist and injured his 9-year-old daughter.

Rebecca Wells, 34, accepted an open plea to aggravated driving under the influence of drugs during a hearing in Lake County circuit court Tuesday.

Wells admitted to having cocaine and marijuana in her system when she drove into and killed Justin McBride at Route 59 and Wilson Road near Fox Lake about 6:30 p.m. last August, said Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz.

McBride's daughter, who was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle, suffered a serious head injury in the accident, but is recovering, Fisz said.

Wells' open plea agreement means she accepted a guilty plea without a guaranteed sentence length in place. She could face 3 to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 during a sentencing hearing on July 6, Fisz said. She could also be sentenced to probation, he said.

Wells remains behind bars in Lake County jail, Fisz said.