Woman pleads not guilty in fatal crash in East Moline

ROCK ISLAND Co., Ill. (KWQC) – An East Moline woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges related to a crash that killed two people earlier this month.

Tonya E. Franks, 53, entered her plea after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing. During a preliminary hearing, the judge hears testimony to determine if there is sufficient cause to proceed with the case.

He has a preliminary hearing on December 8.

Franks is charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison, and driving under the influence, a Class A felony, a misdemeanor punishable by one year in prison.

He was also cited for improper lane usage, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to reduce speed, transporting/carrying alcohol and not driving on the right side of the road.

According to the police and the court:

East Moline officers responded to Kennedy Drive and 20th Avenue around 12:47 a.m. Oct. 2 for a crash involving a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt.

The Tahoe was southbound in the 2000 block of Kennedy Drive while the Cobalt was northbound when the two vehicles collided.

The Tahoe overturned and landed on its passenger side doors. The Cobalt came to rest on East Avenue in the 2000 block of Kenney Drive, facing south in the northbound lane.

The sole occupant of the Tahoe, identified as Franks, was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Genesis Illinois Hospital for treatment and a DUI blood draw.

Two occupants of the Cobalt were killed at the scene. They were later identified as Elias E. Rocha and Alexia B. Devalche, both 31, of East Moline, according to police and court records.

He posted $15,000 and was released from the Rock Island County Jail, court records show.

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