Newton County, Mo. man charged after leaving the scene of a fatal crash involving a pedestrian
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - The driver who left the scene of a fatal crash near Joplin Friday night has been charged.
According to court records, 35-year-old Richard Taylor is charged with DWI resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, operating a car on the highway without a valid license, operating a car without maintaining financial responsibility, and operating a car in a careless and imprudent manner.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, around 7 p.m. Friday evening, Taylor was driving a truck west on Douglas Fir Road south of Joplin when he went off the road and hit 60-year-old Sheldonna Wood. Taylor then drove off.
According to investigators, on Saturday morning a witness noticed a truck parked in her backyard that matched the description authorities put out Friday night of Taylor’s truck. She saw evidence on the front of the truck that matched that fatal crash report and then called 911.
Taylor was arrested at the woman’s house in Carterville, Missouri in Jasper County.
After his arrest, Taylor told investigators he had taken 10 banana shooters over the course of three hours Friday evening. Authorities say Taylor agreed to a preliminary breath test Saturday morning and blew a .131.
Court documents say Taylor is scheduled to appear in court on September 11.
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