Arkansas man dies after being hit by suspected drunk driver in Maries County
MARIES COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Locust Grove, Arkansas man was killed in a crash in Maries County on Sunday evening.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the crash happened on Highway 28 east of Highway C at 6:47 p.m.
According to the online crash report, Michael Edington, 41, of Rolla crossed the center line and hit Elijah Woodward, 21, head on.
Edington's 2005 Subaru Outback then went off the right side of the road while Woodward's Dodge Ram 2500 went off the left side of the road, overturned, throwing him from the vehicle.
Woodward was flown to University Hospital in Columbia, where he was pronounced dead.
Edington was not hurt in the crash. However, according to online arrest reports, he was arrested. He was later charged with driving while intoxicated -- causing the death of another, misdemeanor failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and was issued an infraction for failing to wear a seatbelt. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Woodward was also not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the report says.
According to the probable cause statement, Edington allegedly told officers that the crash occurred because he tried to pick up his cellphone from the car’s floor. A trooper wrote that Edington’s eyes were watery and bloodshot. Edington allegedly said he had two shots of alcohol.
The trooper wrote that Edington’s mouth was covered in “green debris.” Edington allegedly the trooper that he had been eating grass to try to hide the odor of the alcohol.
