Welter Charged w/Aggravated DUI From Fatal Crash

Effingham resident Andrew Welter was charged Monday with Aggravated DUI for his alleged role in the early Sunday morning crash that resulted in the death of a Charleston woman.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Aggravated DUI is the most serious offense that can be filed at this point in the investigation of the crash. The offense is a Class 2 Felony, punishable by up to three to 14 years in prison, with the defendant required to serve at least 85% of the sentence before parole is an option.

Welter was driving a vehicle that allegedly crossed into the oncoming lane of US Route 40 just west of Lake Sara Road just after midnight and struck another vehicle head-on. A passenger in the other vehicle, 29-year-old Alyssa M. Rhodes of Charleston, was killed in the crash. Welter and the other driver, Mara Ferguson of Charleston, were injured and were taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana for treatment. Welter was cited for DUI, improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash. The DUI count has been dismissed in favor of the more serious Aggravated DUI offense.

Welter was taken into custody once out of the hospital. He is being held in Effingham County Jail under $750,000.