For further information please contact: Sergeant Mike Watson
(417) 359-1500 ext. 2229
DS2010-9
April 22, 2010

EMPHASIS: Oklahoma Resident Arrested Following Crash With Trooper

On April 21, 2010, a pursuit which began in Oklahoma and traveled into Kansas, ended when the pursued driver struck a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper nearly head-on in Newton County, Missouri on Interstate 44.

At approximately 11:00 p.m., Trooper T. R. Morris was traveling west on Interstate 44 in Newton County, responding to a report of a pursuit by Oklahoma and Kansas law enforcement that was nearing the Missouri state line. East of the Missouri 166 exit on Interstate 44, Trooper Morris’ patrol car was struck in the left side by the pursued driver who was traveling east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 44. Following the crash, the driver of the pursued vehicle, John R. Bristow, 43, Edmond, Oklahoma, was taken into custody and transported to the Newton County Jail, Neosho, Missouri. Bristow was arrested for assault of a law enforcement officer, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, and a misdemeanor Clay County, Missouri warrant for fraud.

Trooper Morris suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at St. John’s Hospital, Joplin, Missouri.

The charges for which John R. Bristow was arrested are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.

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