A 47-year-old Boonville man is facing charges after a deadly traffic crash on December 21, 2020, in Cooper County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, reports a trooper was notified of an injury crash on U.S. Highway 40, west of Smith Road at 9:23 p.m. Upon arrival, the trooper was advised one of the drivers was deceased.

The driver of a Chevrolet 2500, Richard Ray Nichols was trapped in the front seat of his vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet 1500, identified as Ryan M. Scott was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Nichols waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty on April 12 to Class C Felonies for Involuntary Manslaughter in the First Degree and DWI- Causing Death of Another Person. Nichols posted $10,000 cash bond on January 15.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, at Cooper County Circuit Court.