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 Eric F. Brown
(660) 385-2132
June 14, 2017
B17045

EMPHASIS: Pedestrian Struck; Impaired Driver Arrested In Bucklin, MO


At approximately 12:35 a.m., on June 14, 2017, a Missouri state trooper responded to a report of an injury traffic crash involving a pedestrian in Bucklin, Missouri. During the investigation, the trooper determined Jose R. Montoya, 18, of Bucklin, Missouri, was driving a stolen 1984 Ford truck in a careless manner through a residential yard located at 208 Baker Street in Bucklin, Missouri. While traveling through the yard, Montoya's vehicle struck and seriously injured Amanda R. Hepworth, 27, of New Cambria, Missouri. Hepworth was transported by Life Flight Eagle to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
At approximately 1:42 a.m., Montoya was contacted at his residence and was found to be intoxicated. Montoya was placed under arrest and taken to the Macon County Jail where he was placed on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges by the Linn County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The preliminary felony charges for which Montoya was arrested are driving while intoxicated resulting in a serious physical injury, armed criminal action, assault 2nd degree, and tampering with a motor vehicle.
The Misssouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Brookfield Police Department.
The charges for which the individual was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the chargers must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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