Investigators believe DWI may be involved in a crash early Saturday morning east of Altamont in Daviess County. The driver and sole occupant was seriously hurt in the crash.

In an online report, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Joshua Detherage, 23, of Cameron, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated but released for treatment at Liberty Hospital.

A crash report says Detherage was driving west on Missouri Highway Six shortly after 2 am Saturday when his pickup left the roadway. Investigators say the driver overcorrected, and the vehicle crossed the roadway, hitting a tree and rolling over along the south side of the roadway. The report indicates Detherage was not wearing a safety device.

(News release) – The Northland DWI Task Force, which includes the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, will be out in full force starting June 30th as part of the annual nationwide Fourth (4th) of July Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance-impaired driving crackdown.

The crackdown, which will include high-visibility and high-saturation enforcement throughout Platte and Clay counties, will run from June 30-July 4, 2017.

The effective nationwide substance-impaired driving crackdown will include high-saturation and high-visibility enforcement and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance-impaired driving over the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday.

The agencies of the Northland DWI Task Force have joined together and their officers and deputies will be aggressively looking for substance-impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.

Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Not only are alcohol impaired drivers a threat to others, new statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate drugged driving has now surpassed drunk driving in fatal crashes. NHTSA’s research shows in 2015, drugs were present in 43% of the fatally-injured drivers more frequently than alcohol was present.

“Every year, about one-third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance-impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Platte County Mark Owen. “In 2016, 233 people were killed and 700 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every 1-3/4 days. Sheriff Owen added that the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday July 1-4, 2016, two (2) people were killed and ten (10) were seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver.

“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign reduces substance-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make the Northland roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Chief Thomas Carey, Kearney Police Department.

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.” Excelsior Springs Police Chief Clinton D. Reno said.

Smithville Police Chief Jason Lockridge noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance-impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends, and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'” said Chief Chris Skinrood, Riverside Police Department.

A tearful teenager appeared before a Buchanan County judge Friday to face a robbery charge that carries a maximum punishment of life in prison.

Kayron Keith is charged with robbery in the first degree, a class-a felony, for allegedly taking part in an armed robbery at the Quik-Stop convenience store at 2607 Frederick on May 22.  As we reported previously, the other suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the cashier, an Keith allegedly grabbed the money as it was being handed over by the clerk.

“The other subject had a gun.  The subject with the gun pointed the gun at the cashier and demanded money,” said Det. Greg Ogdahl with the St. Joseph Police Department in an affidavit.  “While the cashier was removing the cash from the cash register the suspect grabbed and pulled the money out of the hand of the cashier.” Ogdahl said.

The pair is accused of leaving the scene with the money in a stolen vehicle. Charges have not yet been filed against the second suspect.

Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart reduced Keith’s bail to $25,000, with $2,500 in cash and $22,500 by surety bond.  Keith remains in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing docket call July 5 at 11 am.

A Faucett, Missouri man appeared in court Friday on charges of stealing a truck June 15. Police say David Bunton was arrested after the victim and another man allegedly pursued and detained the suspect in the stolen truck.

As we reported June 20, Bunton is charged with one class-d felony count of tampering with service of utility or institution. Court documents assert Bunton was spotted earlier in the stolen vehicle on surveillance video from a local convenience store.

Associate Circuit Judge Rebecca Spencer read the charge to Bunton Friday, and scheduled a preliminary hearing July 6 at 1:30 pm. Bunton will apply for a public defender.

Bunton remains in custody, unable to post $10,000 cash bail.

 

A 32-year-old St. Joseph caregiver pleaded guilty Friday to charges she stole a patient’s credit card and used it to pay her water bill.

Ashley Garr pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen property.

As we reported, Garr was accused in March of using an 86-year-old woman’s credit card information to pay for her own Missouri American Water Bill, totaling more than $1,000.  In court Friday, Garr told Circuit Judge Patrick Robb that she found the card on the floor, took it, and used it.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Bachman said the victim had loss protection on the card, so she lost nothing.  But the bank is still owed the money.  Judge Robb said he would be “impressed” if Garr had that paid off before sentencing, now scheduled August 14 at 2 pm.  Garr will also owe more than $300 in court costs.

The crime occurred in December of last year, before the General Assembly consolidated the sentencing rules in Missouri, and increased some of the penalties.  Receiving stolen property is a class-c felony, which in this case carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

 

 

 

 

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help identifying items that were found in the county.

Sheriff John Merchant said he found a bracelet and a Masonic daughters ring and is trying to return them to the rightful owner.

Anyone who might recognize the items is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 742-7125.