Woman Cited In Airborne Crash In Culver's Parking Lot: Officials

WOODSTOCK, IL — A Crystal Lake woman faces multiple charges after her car went airborne and hit a tree, pole and multiple cars in a Culver's parking lot last weekend, authorities said.

Jennifer R. Betlinski, 48, of Crystal Lake, was driving a 2007 Hyundai Azera when the collision occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in the area of Route 14 near West Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. She has been issued several citations for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, improper transportation or carrying alcohol by a driver, improper traffic lane usage and driving with defective brakes.

Court records show she was also charged in a separate Crystal Lake case on Saturday. She was arrested at about 2:40 p.m. for allegations she was in possession of cocaine, resisted arrest and unlawfully possess drug paraphernalia. She also faces a domestic battery charge.

Betlinski did not require extrication and exited the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, Vucha said.

Betlinski has since been issued multiple citations for improper traffic lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, improper transportation or carrying alcohol by a driver and driving with defective brakes.

Court records show Betlinski was arrested on Saturday by the Crystal Lake Police Department and charged in a new case with possession of a controlled substance, domestic battery, resisting a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A McHenry County Judge has granted Betlinski be released as court proceedings move forward in the case. As conditions of her release, she has been ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation, which must be filed with the court, and follow all treatment recommendations made by the provider.

She is prohibited from consuming any controlled substances unless she has a valid medical prescription and must submit to random drug testing, according to court records provided to Patch.

The collision on Saturday happened at about 12:30 p.m. when a vehicle appeared to have left Route 14 near West Lake Shore Drive, went airborne and then hit a tree and a light pole before entering the Culver's parking lot, where it came to rest after damaging about six parked vehicles, according to a news release from the fire/rescue district.

Betlinski was evaluated her at the scene by paramedics, and she declined medical treatment, authorities said.

“When crews arrived, there was a lot going on and the scene was chaotic. We got lucky out here,” Battalion Chief Scott Nieman said. “Vehicles can be repaired, but it could have been a much different outcome if anyone had been in the path of that vehicle.”

The crash remains under investigation by the Woodstock Police Department.