Officials confirm man hit by alleged inebriated driver in downtown Jefferson City crash dies
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Officials have confirmed that a man who was hit by an allegedly inebriated driver on Sunday in Jefferson City has died.
Richard Robben, 59, was on an electric bike when he was hit by Robert Roy Rackers Jr. in the 100 block of East Dunklin Drive after 5 p.m. Sunday.
Rackers, 36, of Mexico, Missouri, is charged with driving while intoxicated causing serious injury, misdemeanor reckless driving and not having insurance. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Cole County Circuit Court.
The probable cause statement says that the crash occurred in the 100 block of East Dunklin Street after 5 p.m. Sunday. The statement says Rackers drove a 1999 GMC Sonoma westbound into the path of Robben, who was heading in the opposite direction.
Robben had life-threatening injuries and was brought to a hospital in Columbia, the statement says. He died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the crash.
Rackers also had injuries and was brought to a hospital that day by police and allegedly suffered minor injuries, court documents say.
A Jefferson City police officer wrote in the statement that Rackers appeared to be under the influence of marijuana and was found with weed when he was arrested.
Condolences shared
Tributes poured in for Robben on social media as news of his death began to spread.
Eat Smart Meals JCMO -- who described Robben as a core member of their team in a GoFundMe page – was one of the first places to write about Robben on social media. The business wrote that it closed at 3 p.m. to
“Thank you for understanding. We will be back tomorrow. It’s going to take some time, but we will update on a fundraiser to help with funeral costs with his family,” the post reads. “Thank you all for the love and patience in this hard time.”
The post had more than 1,100 reactions at 8:20 p.m. and nearly 200 comments, which were filled with condolences and sympathy.
Similarly, The Mission, a well-known music venue in the city, shared Eat Smart’s post with its own comment.
“Our hearts are heavy. Rich, you’re missed and loved. Hug your loved ones tight,” the post reads.
