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(Update) First appearance set for suspect in DWI fatality

Train With MSHPA 21-year-old Cameron man is due in court Tuesday on charges stemming from a fatality accident in Daviess County May 29.

Aaron Balliett and his passenger 20-year-old McKenzie Patti had to be extricated from the wreckage of the single-vehicle crash at Oval Avenue and U.S. Highway 69 near Altamont. Both suffered serious injuries.

Ms. Patti died from her injuries at the Truman Medical Center in Kansas City a few days after the crash.

Balliett is charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, DWI, Careless and Imprudent Driving and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign.

In court documents, Trooper J. Johnston of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says he responded to the accident and found numerous open and empty beer cans in a cooler and throughout the vehicle. Trooper Johnston also said in the affidavit that he could smell “the strong odor of intoxicants coming from Balliet’s person” Johnston says he had a blood sample taken for evidence, but court documents do not reveal Mr Balliett’s blood-alcohol content.

A first court appearance is scheduled Tuesday morning before a Daviess County judge. Bail was set at $35,000 cash.

A Kansas City lawyer, John Patrick O’Connor entered his appearance to represent Balliett.

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