West Plains, MO. – On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, West Plains resident, Wesley Hanger, was arrested for domestic assault- 1st degree, armed criminal action, driving while revoked/suspended- 2nd or 3rd offense, leaving scene of accident- 2nd offense, property damage- 2nd degree, operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner- involving an accident, failure to drive within right lane of highway with two or more lanes, failure to register motor vehicle/trailer annually with director of revenue, and owner operate MV without maintaining financial responsibility.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the police department received a call about a vehicle running over a sign and a water main cover overnight. Upon watching the video of the accident, they observed a dark-colored truck come to a stop in the northbound lane while facing south, towards a woman walking along the sidewalk. The driver of the truck appeared to be yelling at the female on the sidewalk. When she continued walking, the driver rapidly accelerated, driving off the road and onto the sidewalk, over the water main cover and the street sign, forcing the female to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit. The video showed the truck reentering the roadway to turn back to the female on the sidewalk. The driver exited the vehicle, revealing himself to be Wesley Hanger, and approached the female. Both individuals got into the truck and drove away.
When officers found Wesley later he confessed to driving on North Howell that night. In his interview, Wesley said that running over the sign and almost hitting the woman was an accident. He stated that a speaker box had landed on the accelerator and he couldn’t stop the vehicle.
Wesley Hanger has already been convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in a previous year. He is being held on a $60,000 bond.
