West Plains, MO. – A man who was involved in a hit & run incident on Highway 160 near West Plains was arrested not long after while attempting to flee from law enforcement.
This event began on July 3rd at roughly 3:50 pm when Justin Kimbell, 39 of Mountain View failed to stop at a stop sign when crossing 160 from CR 6070 and collided with another vehicle operated by Kayla Lau, 27 of West Plains. Lau suffered minor injuries in the collision.
Kimbell then proceeded to flee from the scene of the accident. Moments later, Kimbell was spotted by Trooper Landon Pruiett from the MSHP, who witnessed Kimbell run a stop light on US 63 and Missouri 17, which led to an attempt at a traffic stop. Kimbell attempted to flee from law enforcement before being stopped and taken into custody on Maple Street of West Plains.
It was only after the event that Kimbell had been discovered to be connected to the previous hit & run earlier in the day. He has been charged with Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Physical Injury, Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, Driving While Revoked, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Failure to Yield to an Oncoming Vehicle, Failure to Use a Turn Signal, No Insurance, and No Seatbelt.
Kimbell was held on a 24-hour hold at the Howell County Jail while formal charges were pending.
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
