Man arrested, injured after crash in Gasconade County chase
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was updated as more details emerged.
GASCONADE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Bland, Missouri, man was arrested after he crashed an alleged stolen vehicle following a chase involving Gasonade County Sheriff's deputies on Thursday night, according to a sheriff's office Facebook post.
Joshua Torrence, 29, lost control of a 2014 Mercedes Benz on wet pavement on Route EE south of Price Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. The Mercedes traveled off the left side of the road, hit a group of trees, became airborne and struck another tree before stopping.
The Gasonade County Sheriff's Office said that a deputy was conducting stationary patrol at the intersection of Fourth Street and Price Road near Owensville, when he observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Price Road very fast.
Torrence did not stop at the stop sign for the intersection. As the deputy was catching up to the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop, he saw the vehicle passing another vehicle on Price Road. A traffic stop was attempted at this time, however the vehicle fled and turned south onto Highway EE.
The deputy lost visual of the vehicle but continue to drive south on Highway EE. The deputy found vehicle south of Highway EE and Lake View Drive in a group of trees in the northbound ditch.
Torrence was taken into custody. It was later determined the Mercedes was reported stolen from Jefferson City.
Torrence sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital in the St. Louis area by ambulance. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The Mercedes was totaled, according to the Highway Patrol report.
The sheriff's office said pending charges include tampering with a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and other traffic violations.
Torrence has another current court case for unlawful possession of a firearm. A warrant for that charge was served on Nov. 10 and he posted bond on Nov. 16. The next hearing in that case is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Warren County Courthouse.
