Photo: The driver a pickup truck was arrested after fleeing the scene before authorities arrived. He was arrested a short time later, uninjured, after officers were made aware he had active warrants from both Taney County and Kansas City. He was booked and released at the Ozark County jail after officials in both areas declined to receive him amid COVID-19 concerns. Photo: Courtesy Ozark County Times
Two people reportedly fled following a one-vehicle accident last week in Ozark County. The driver and passenger were captured following a short foot pursuit, with one released due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ozark County Times reports the accident was one of two emergency workers responded to within two hours March 27.
First responders from Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the first crash near the Gainesville square at 6:46 a.m.
Emergency personnel were alerted to the accident by a passerby who saw the crash and stopped to check on the driver and passenger, who told the woman they were uninjured.
When emergency personnel arrived, both the driver and passenger had fled.
The driver, who had active warrants from both Taney County and Kansas City, was arrested and transported to the Ozark County Jail. Deputies attempted to arrange transport to the Taney County jail. However, Taney County law enforcement advised because the man was not a violent offender and with the COVID-19, they did not want to accept him. The Kansas City warrants were only for arrest within a 40-mile radius of that city.
The man was booked and released.
Ozark County authorities advise the man could potentially be charged with fleeing the scene of an accident in connection with the local incident. The identities of the driver and passenger have not yet been released.
Emergency personnel then responded to a two-vehicle collision on J Highway about 8 a.m. that sent 28-year-old Kayla Trail of Dora by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center. Trail reported sustained minor injuries.
Photos: One person was transported by ambulance following a two-vehicle accident when a pickup crossed the centerline of J Highway and struck a car. Photos: Courtesy Ozark County Times
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol online crash report, Trail was traveling northbound on J Highway about 11 miles south of Gainesville, near T Highway, when a southbound pickup crossed the center line and struck her vehicle.
The pickup was driven by 45-year-old Kevin Merglewski of Tecumseh. The pickup was a total loss; the car sustained extensive damage. Both were towed from the scene. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.
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