Columbia Public Schools employee admits to Cooper County crash

A Columbia Public Schools principal admitted to his role in a Cooper County crash that injured two people last month.

Mark Burlison, principal of Blue RIdge Elementary School, pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of driving in a careless and imprudent manner, causing an accident. Online court records show Judge Keith Bail ordered Burlison pay a $500 fine along with court costs.

Prosecutors initially charged Burlison with a felony due to the injuries suffered, and accusing him of leaving the scene of the crash. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said April Brashier and Steven Brinkman had moderate injuries on July 11 after a pick-up truck hit them from behind, sending their car into a guardrail on Interstate 70. Burlison was arrested the day after the crash.

Burlison started his first year as principal of Blue Ridge Elementary School this school year. CPS officials recommended he be promoted from assistant principal of the school in February.