MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop B Headquarters - 308 Pine Crest Drive - Macon, Missouri 63552


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Brent J. Bernhardt
(660) 385-2132
B12024
February 25, 2012

EMPHASIS: Pursuit And Traffic Crash In Monroe County

On February 24, 2012, at approximately 11:40 p.m., a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol observed a 1999 Dodge Durango, which was travelling eastbound on U.S. Highway 24 near Missouri Route YY, in Randolph County, to be crossing the centerline of the highway. The trooper activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle, and it continued eastbound at approximately 60 miles per hour. As the Durango continued eastbound on U.S. Highway 24 near Missouri Highway 15, in Monroe County, it began weaving across both lanes of the roadway, and the speed of the vehicle increased. At approximately 11:57 p.m., the Durango struck the rear of a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Katy Hayes, 17, of Monroe City, Missouri, as it was travelling eastbound on U.S. Highway 24. Hayes received serious injuries from the crash and was transported by an Air- Evac helicopter to the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The driver of the Dodge Durango was identified as Tristan S. Davis, 17, of Moberly, Missouri. Davis was initially transported to the Moberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly, Missouri, by a Monroe City Ambulance, and was later transported by a Staff for Life helicopter to the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. Davis was treated for moderate injuries and released. Davis was arrested for felony second degree assault (operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in injury), resisting arrest by fleeing, driving while intoxicated, speed, improper lane usage, fail to stop at a stop sign, and careless and imprudent driving. He is incarcerated currently in the Monroe County Jail pending formal charges. A comprehensive accident investigation is currently being conducted by the Patrol's Major Crash Team.
The Patrol was assisted by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, Monroe County Fire Department, Monroe City Ambulance personnel, and Monroe County Ambulance personnel.
The charges for which Davis was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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