A 39-year-old Brighton, Colorado, man is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, after authorities were called to the scene of a traffic crash in Cooper County on October 28.
According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a trooper says the female who called in the crash told the Cooper County Emergency Operations Center she was not injured in the crash. Then the female began screaming while on the phone with the operations center. When the trooper arrived, he said he saw a Chevrolet Sonic bearing a Colorado license plate had traveled off I-70 and came to rest blocking Chestnut Road near mile marker 96.
A female ran toward the trooper and fell to the ground. The trooper observed she had sustained substantial injuries to her head and face not consistent with a traffic crash. A computer check revealed the woman owned a Chevrolet Equinox, which was not at the scene. She was transported to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of her serious injuries.
A computer check revealed the Chevrolet Sonic belonged to Eric Townsend. A BOLO was issued for the woman’s missing Chevrolet Equinox and Townsend, whom was believed to have stolen the vehicle. The vehicle was located by authorities near mile marker 74 in Saline County, and Townsend was taken into custody at a nearby business.
During his interview with authorities, they say he said he intentionally struck the Chevrolet Equinox with the intent to kill the driver. Townsend said he forcibly removed the driver of the Equinox and used his hands to kill her. He said he struck her, strangled her and attempted to gouge out her eyes. Townsend said he left the scene driving the Equinox.
Court documents say Townsend is charged with felonies for attempted murder in the second degree; assault in the first degree- serious physical injury; armed criminal action; kidnapping- inflicting injury, terrorizing in the first degree; tampering with a motor vehicle in the first degree; and leaving the scene of an accident- physical injury. The court has set bond at no bond.
Townsend’s initial hearing is pending at Cooper County Circuit Court.