A brief police chase on Interstate 49 in Nevada, Missouri, on Tuesday ended with a jarring hit when a fleeing car slammed into a concrete barrier near the Highland exit, police said. Traffic backed up on the interstate while officers worked the crash scene, and both the driver and a passenger were taken into custody. Prosecutors later charged the driver with resisting arrest and several traffic violations after officers recovered what they believe may be methamphetamine.
According to KOAM News Now, Officer Zeolia first tried to pull the vehicle over for a traffic violation. When emergency lights came on, the driver did not yield, and officers initiated a short pursuit northbound on I-49. The chase ended just before the Highland exit when the vehicle struck a concrete barrier, and officers arrested both occupants on the spot.
Short Pursuit On A Busy Stretch
Brief but risky chases on that stretch of I-49 are not unheard of, and law enforcement officials say the priority is keeping other drivers out of harm's way when a routine stop suddenly escalates. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and local agencies have stepped up targeted traffic enforcement in the region to crack down on hazardous driving, issuing citations and making arrests during focused operations, as reported by KQ2.
Charges And Evidence
Prosecutors have charged Jaimie Covey of Nevada with resisting arrest, driving while revoked and failure to register a motor vehicle, according to KOAM News Now. Investigators told the outlet that a passenger was seen tossing items from the vehicle before it came to a stop, and officers later recovered a discarded item they believe to be methamphetamine. Officials said additional charges could be filed once laboratory testing on the suspected drugs is complete.
What The Law Says
Under Missouri law, resisting or interfering with an arrest or traffic stop can be charged as a felony if the person's flight creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death. Other forms of resisting can be misdemeanors, according to the Missouri Revised Statutes. Driving with a revoked license is one of several traffic offenses tracked by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and penalties vary based on the specifics of the case. The agency’s charge code manual details the vehicle and license violations officers rely on when writing reports and referring cases to prosecutors, as outlined in the MSHP charge code manual.
The Nevada Police Department and the Vernon County prosecutor's office are continuing to review the stop, the crash and any potential additional charges. Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to contact the Nevada Police Department, with contact details available on the city's official website.
