Jury trial begins for driver charged in fatal motorcycle crash

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A trial is set to begin Wednesday for a Rocheport man accused of causing a crash that killed a woman in February 2024.

Matthew Shilling's jury trial is set to begin at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday in the Boone County Courthouse with Judge Jacobs and is expected to last for two days.

Shilling is accused of causing a crash that killed 32-year-old Christina Mayfield on Business Loop 70 near Hathman Place. He was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, second-degree assault and driving without a license, a misdemeanor. 

Court documents say a motorcycle driven by a person they have not identified was rear-ended by Shilling's SUV, sending it forward into another SUV and throwing the driver and Mayfield from the bike.

Police said video from a nearby business showed Shilling's SUV traveling at high speed, according to previous reporting.

Shilling has nine convictions on his driving record for driving with a suspended or revoked license and another for no license, according to a probable cause statement. 

In August, Shilling settled with the family of Christina Mayfield for $25,000 in her death.