Red Bud woman facing reckless homicide charge surrenders

The 20-year-old Red Bud woman facing reckless homicide charges in the car crash that killed two other women in January turned herself into the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Friday afternoon, State’s Attorney Kris Reitz’s office confirmed.

Crystal Steinheimer turned herself in a day after a judge ordered her $25,000 bond be increased. During that hearing Thursday, Monroe County Judge Dennis Doyle agreed with Reitz’s recommendation that Steinheimer’s bond be doubled to $50,000, because she was caught driving on a suspended license shortly after midnight Sunday. That was in violation of the terms of her bond.

Reitz’s office said if Steinheimer did not turn herself in Friday, a warrant for her arrest would be issued.

On Jan. 10, Steinheimer was driving northbound on Illinois 159 near Sunset Lane when she lost control of the 2008 Chevy Aveo she was driving. The Aveo crossed over the center line, colliding head-on with a southbound 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by Abigail Liefer, 19, of Ruma. Also in the Cobalt was Hannah Marie Porter, 20, of Red Bud and Grace E. Richards, 21, of Red Bud.

Liefer and Porter died as a result of the crash. Richards and Steinheimer were injured. Steinheimer’s blood alcohol level was 0.179 — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Reitz filed reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence charges against Steinheimer in May after Illinois State Police officials completed their crash reconstruction. She faces six to 28 years in prison on each charge.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Red Bud woman facing reckless homicide charge surrenders."