Guest
Brittany Johns Car Accident – At approximately 7:03 p.m. on September 7, 2022, a police officer sat in the right travel lane of Interstate 55 just before the 1 southbound exit. Due to a previous incident on the Interstate 55 Bridge, traffic became backed up and suspended. He observed a red Pontiac Grand Prix traveling approximately 50 miles per hour pass him on the right shoulder. The officer initiated a traffic stop by pulling to the right shoulder and activating my blue lights. The red Pontiac pulled over to the shoulder a short distance in front of him, and he notified dispatch of the traffic stop. At the driver’s door, the officer made contact with the motorist after exiting his patrol vehicle. He introduced himself and explained why he had stopped the driver. The officer reported that he asked the driver if he had a driver’s license and the driver replied, “No.” The police officer immediately detected the potent odor emanating from the car and requested the driver to exit the vehicle and meet him at the rear of his vehicle. He observed a woman seated in the passenger seat and asked her if she had identification; she replied that she did not. The driver stated that he was attempting to transport his sick companion to the hospital. Trooper Garrett Byrd arrived, and the officer explains the halt to him. He asked Trooper Byrd to administer SFSTs to Winfert, who was visibly under the influence of something, in his patrol car. His eyes were red, his eyelids were drooping, he had a light green film on his tongue, and he was unstable on his feet. The officer began investigating the vehicle, and the female passenger became extremely curious about what he was examining. She began walking back to the rear of the car on the driver’s side and remarked that a pistol may be inside. He told her it was okay and to return to the front of the vehicle. She retraced her steps to the front of the vehicle before almost immediately turning around and walking back toward the officer. She stated that there may be additional items in the car as she entered the vehicle. The officer attempted to halt her as she shifted into drive and fled in her car. He then returned to his patrol unit after releasing her. The officer notified dispatch that he was pursuing the suspect and that they were approaching a bridge. On the right shoulder, the red Pontiac was traveling faster than 100 miles per hour. He reported to dispatch that she may have crashed after observing her vehicle come to a sudden stop. As he approached the red Pontiac, he notified dispatch that the driver had crashed and requested an ambulance. The red Pontiac collided with a box vehicle and was severed in two. The female was supine with her legs in the front passenger compartment and her head on the floor where the back seats would typically be. After Crittenden EMS transported the female, the officer discovered an ID that identified her as Brittany Johns. He informed dispatch of her name and birth date. An NCIC search revealed that Johns is wanted for extradition from Illinois on an active warrant. He continued searching the vehicle and discovered caliber revolver in the rear passenger side floorboard. Before the firearm was collected, photographs were taken of it. Winfert was arrested for traffic violations and transported to the Crittenden County Detention Center. Winfert was charged with FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM when the officer went to the Crittenden County Detention Center.
