GALESBURG — A Galesburg woman is charged with attempted murder of a former Galesburg police officer who was hit by a vehicle Tuesday while riding his bicycle.

Bond was set at $500,000 Wednesday in Knox County court for Jacqueline J. Wells, 45. Andrew Tolle, 61, suffered a broken arm and leg and a fractured pelvis in the incident and was taken to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Tolle retired from the Galesburg Police Department in 2013 as a captain with 29 years of experience.

Police were called about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of Knox County Highway 26. They found Tolle in the road.

Knox County Assistant State's Attorney Sabrina Stroops said in court that Wells drove up behind Tolle, honked at him, pulled alongside, then slowed to fall behind Tolle and hit him.

According to a Knox County Sheriff's Office release, Tolle said he was riding on Highway 26 when a red Jeep pulled up next to him. A woman made obscene gestures at him and appeared to be yelling at him. The Jeep then got behind Tolle, rammed the bicycle twice and ran over Tolle.

The second hit, Stroops said, knocked Tolle to the ground, at which point Wells ran over him and drove off. The encounter occurred after Wells allegedly hit another vehicle and drove away.

In addition to attempted first-degree murder, charges against Wells include aggravated battery, aggravated reckless driving and failure to stop after having an accident involving personal injury or death.

Wells repeatedly yelled at Judge Bruce Beal in a video court appearance, calling him Santa Claus among other things. Beal ordered a mental health fitness evaluation for her.



