A Fayette man is facing a couple of felonies after reportedly driving erratically and at a high rate of speed and eluding law enforcement on two separate occasions in Howard County.
At approximately 3:09 p.m. on Monday, May 10, while driving south on Highway 5, outside of Fayette, a Howard County Sheriff’s deputy clocked an oncoming SUV driving 99 to 100 miles per hour. The deputy informed dispatch and requested Fayette Police Department be notified of the stop and hold. By the time that the deputy was able to turn his vehicle around to pursue the vehicle, he was no longer able to see the S.U.V. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Fayette Police Department assisted in the search of the vehicle, but were unsuccessful.
When the deputy reviewed photos from his dash cam, it was apparent that the vehicle they were searching for was not displaying a front or rear plate, and due to a glare on the windshield, the deputy was unable to identify the driver at that time.
On Wednesday, May 12, at approximately 2:48 p.m., a call came in to the Howard County Sheriff’s office in regards to a C & I driver on Highway 5 & 240 between Glasgow and Fayette. The vehicle, that matched the description of the SUV that fled authorities on Monday, was reportedly traveling at 100 mph towards Fayette. At approximately 8:21 p.m. on Wednesday, while on patrol in New Franklin, the deputy observed a vehicle matching the description of the SUV and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. When the deputy initiated his emergency lights, the vehicle failed to stop and proceeded through New Franklin. At one point, the driver accelerated and was weaving in and out of oncoming traffic. The pursuit continued through a school zone and due to school being dismissed for the day, there were several people on the sidewalks and in the cross walks when the vehicle was driving erratically. The deputy slowed his vehicle down while traveling through the school zone and lost sight of the vehicle.
A short time later, the suspect vehicle was located by a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper parked in the woods at a residence at 650 County Road 451. When the deputy arrived, a young female and white male,were seated in the trooper’s car. When the young female was questioned in regards to who was driving the SUV, she indicated it was the male subject, identified as Levi Jordan Richerson.
Richerson is charged with felonies for endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk-in the first degree and resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing-creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person; and two driving related misdemeanors. Bond is set at $20,000 cash only.
Richerson’s initial court appearance is pending at Howard County Circuit Court.