Photo: Courtesy Ozark County Times
A Baxter County woman has been charged with causing the death of a person by driving while intoxicated in a Feb. 17 crash in Ozark County.
The Ozark County Times reports a $50,000 cash-only bond has been issued for 68-year-old Patricia L. Hobbs of Jordan, who was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and acted with criminal negligence when her vehicle crossed the centerline of Missouri Highway 5 about a half-mile south of W Highway. Hobbs’ vehicle struck a truck driven by 59-year-old Michael Clark of Flippin head-on. Clark died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
The charging document says Hobbs is alleged to have been under the influence of oxycodone, clonazepam and midazolam, all controlled substances, while driving that day.
She has been charged with the Class B felony of causing the death of a person by driving while intoxicated. She could face between five and 15 years in prison if convicted of the charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol online crash report, both drivers were transported by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center (BRMC), where Clark was pronounced dead.
Hobbs was wearing a seat belt, according to the report; Clark was not. Both vehicles were totaled.
In the probable cause statement, Trooper Dakota Nash reports having spoken to both drivers. Those conversations and evidence gathered at the scene led Trooper Nash to place Hobbs under arrest for driving while intoxicated with drugs and Clark for driving while intoxicated with alcohol.
Blood samples were reportedly taken from both drivers at BRMC, with Hobbs’ submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol lab for testing and Clark’s to an Arkansas lab. The result of Clark’s test will be included with the Baxter County coroner’s official report on the death, according to Trooper Nash’s report.
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