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Sullivan woman charged in Capitol riot arrested for DUI after fatal crash

A 32-year-old woman was killed in the wrong-way crash Wednesday night

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. — A Sullivan woman who was involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot is facing a DUI charge after a fatal crash Wednesday night.

The crash happened at around 7 p.m. along Interstate 44 in Franklin County.

According to the crash report, 22-year-old Emily Hernandez was driving a Volkswagen Passat the wrong way on I-44 when she crashed into a Buick Enclave. The Buick traveled into the median and hit cable barriers.

A passenger in the Buick was pronounced dead at the scene and has been identified as 32-year-old Victoria Wilson. Hernandez and the driver of the Buick were both taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

"I'm sure it will be a long process for them," Jenny Kierns said about her neighbors, the Wilsons. "But my thoughts and prayers go with the family and whatever we can do to help the family. They were hard-working people. Friendly, wanted the best for their children"

She also expressed sympathy for Hernandez's family who also lives in town. 

A GoFundMe has been created to help support Wilson’s family.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has requested charges be applied against Hernandez that include driving while intoxicated resulting in death.

Prosecuting Attorney Matthew C. Becker says his office is waiting for blood test results before officially filing charges. He's prioritizing this case and hopes to get results back later this month.

Hernandez’s attorney, Ethan Corlija, confirmed in a statement to 5 On Your Side that she was involved in a "situation" but wouldn’t comment further.

Last year, Hernandez was seen in an ITV News video that showed rioters storm the Capitol. She was seen holding up a broken piece of a wooden sign that read, “Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.”

Corlija has previously described Hernandez as “the girl next door,” who “got involved in a situation she did not want to put herself in.”

According to a federal criminal complaint, Hernandez is facing the following charges in connection to the Capitol riot:

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds
  • Disorderly conduct which impedes the conduct of government business
  • Steal, sell, convey or dispose of anything of value in the United States
  • Disruptive conduct in the Capitol buildings
  • Parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol buildings

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