Ingleside driver gets 5 years in prison for crash that killed Elmhurst woman near McHenry

An Ingleside woman was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for the fatal head-on crash that she caused while authorities said she was under the influence of marijuana.

Before a packed McHenry County courtroom, Alyssa Popp, 34, pleaded guilty to reckless driving in the crash that killed Christina Smith of Elmhurst. In exchange, a charge of aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death was dismissed.

Prosecutors said on the morning of Aug. 7, 2021, Popp drove recklessly north on Route 31, between Ringwood and McHenry, while she was under the influence of prescription medication and delta-9 THC, which is found in marijuana. Authorities said she drove her 2021 GMC Acadia across the center line and struck a 2015 Acura TLX traveling south.

Assistant State’s Attorney William Bruce said in court Friday that nearby video captured Popp’s vehicle swerving before the crash. Bruce said tests showed Popp’s vehicle was driving 51 mph and did not attempt to brake before the crash.

The Acura’s driver, Smith, 56, was killed in the crash. Bruce said tests showed Smith did brake and tried to avoid the collision.

Smith was one of eight siblings, and — with a picture of her placed on the witness stand — each of them read impact statements.

They described Smith, who worked as a physical therapist and loved tennis, golf and the Chicago White Sox, as a giving friend, a favorite aunt, funny, accomplished, caring and thoughtful. She was described as having “had an inner strength” and “a zest for life.”

Popp stood and apologized to the almost 50 people who were there from Smith’s family — what Judge Tiffany Davis said was the largest courtroom crowd she’s ever seen.

“I’m so sorry,” Popp said. “I take responsibility for this tragic accident. … I hope you can forgive me. I understand if you can’t.”

She said she is a mother of a young child, is in therapy and that she hopes to move on and hopes the same for the family. She said the incident has “changed her as a person completely.”

She is required to serve half her prison term followed by six months of mandatory supervised release. The judge allowed her to turn herself in at the jail Oct. 6.