Woman arrested after New Year’s Day alcohol-related crash investigation in Williamson County
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — Williamson County sheriff’s deputies arrested a woman early New Year’s Day following an investigation into a suspected alcohol-related crash in Carbondale.
Deputies responded at about 5:13 a.m. Jan. 1 to a single-vehicle crash in the area of Laurelwood Lane and North County Line Road. Authorities found a GMC pickup truck that had failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway and struck multiple trees. The vehicle sustained extensive damage, including a broken rear axle, consistent with a high-impact collision. No occupants were found at the scene.
Deputies said the severity of the crash indicated anyone inside the vehicle likely sustained serious injuries. Investigators also observed numerous open alcoholic beverages inside the truck and detected a strong odor of alcohol, prompting an investigation into a possible alcohol-related crash.
The impact triggered an automatic 911 call from a cellphone involved in the crash. Dispatchers tracked the phone traveling east from the crash site before it last registered near Grand Avenue and Lion Drive. Information found inside the truck helped deputies identify a nearby residence associated with the vehicle and the cellphone’s location.
Deputies responded to the residence to check on the welfare of anyone involved in the crash, with an ambulance staged nearby. At the residence, deputies made contact with Ebony A. Bradley-Farr, who became belligerent and refused to cooperate, repeatedly demanding officers leave the property.
Deputies identified Bradley-Farr and determined she had multiple outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction. However, court-imposed geographic restrictions prevented deputies from arresting her on those warrants.
A male at the residence identified himself by first name only and refused to cooperate. He denied knowledge of the crash and provided no information regarding possible injuries.
During the encounter, deputies said Bradley-Farr repeatedly placed multiple 911 calls without a legitimate emergency and refused lawful orders to stop. Deputies took her into custody for interfering with the crash investigation and misusing emergency services.
Bradley-Farr was cited for making a false 911 complaint, a Class 4 felony, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor. She was transported to the Williamson County Jail, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities also referenced a prior incident on Dec. 9, 2025, when the sheriff’s office assisted the Illinois Department of Revenue Criminal Investigations Unit with a search warrant at a Carterville residence. During that incident, Bradley-Farr allegedly became verbally combative, refused lawful commands, made threats toward agents and resisted arrest. She was later charged with three counts of threatening a public official, all Class 3 felonies, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor.
Anyone with information related to this or other investigations is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or submit a tip through the sheriff’s app. Anonymous tips are accepted.
