A car accident can happen under the best of circumstances. Even drivers who are fully committed to safety may be unable to respond to an unexpected obstacle — such as a pedestrian running across the interstate — in time to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, a Missouri man now faces multiple criminal charges, including possession of drugs, after police say he was involved in a fatal crash.
The incident happened at approximately 6:30 a.m. on a day in April. According to police reports, a 25-year-old homeless man ran across the interstate. He was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man. While a witness claims that the driver initially stopped at the scene, he reportedly got back in his vehicle and left the area.
Police say they located the man at a casino. They reportedly discovered a clear substance in a syringe on the man during his arrest. Reports indicate that the man initially told police that the substance was insulin before later stating that it was methamphetamine. Police say that he also admitted that he was involved in a crash and was the only one in the vehicle at the time.
In addition to the possession of drugs charge, he faces several other allegations, including possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree involuntary manslaughter. When people in Missouri and across the country are confronted by law enforcement officers, they often are unsure how to respond and unaware of how the information they may provide could be used against them. Fortunately, a criminal defense attorney can help guide them through all stages of the criminal process, including initial questioning.
Source: stltoday.com, “St. Charles man charged in deadly hit-and-run crash on I-55 in downtown St. Louis“, Joel Currier, April 23, 2018