(Information in this report is gathered from police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or changed as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

May 13

Betsy A. Klug, 49, of Pontoon Beach, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant and for possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding on Route 3 at Palmer Road. 

May 14

Richard J. Stevens, 31, was arrested on multiple St. Clair County warrants on I-255.

May 22

A two-vehicle crash occurred about 10:30 a.m. on Ramsey Road at DD Road. The vehicles involved were a 2021 Honda SUV driven by Susan Caito, 67, of Columbia, and a 2003 Freightliner MT35 chassis driven by Melvin Stuckmeyer, 83, of Columbia. Police said the Freightliner was parked in the left shoulder of the road. The Honda drove around the Freightliner in the opposite lane of traffic. The driver of the Honda saw an oncoming vehicle and swerved back into her lane, clipping the Freightliner’s rear bumper. Stuckmeyer was transported by Columbia EMS to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.

May 26

Sara K. Brinker, 37, of Columbia, was arrested for domestic battery (physical harm) for allegedly punching a male victim in the nose with a closed fist and grabbing his scrotum, causing injury. The incident occurred on High Ridge Drive.

May 28

Justin A. Widel, 34, of Waterloo, was charged with aggravated fleeing/eluding (three or more offenses) for failing to stop when signaled by a Columbia police officer and driving in excess of 21 miles per hour over the posted limit.

Missouri Highway Patrol

May 24

A four-vehicle chain reaction crash occurred shortly after 1 a.m. on I-55 southbound just north of Highway 141 in St. Louis County. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by Tonya M. Hill, 42, of Fenton, Mo., struck the rear of a 1997 Ford Mustang driven by a 17-year-old St. Louis female, which then struck a 2009 Chevrolet S-10 driven by Sid Gallagher, 23, of Waterloo, which then struck a 2006 Honda Accord driven by Jeffery W. Eichelberger, 62, of Festus, Mo. Hill was transported by Mehlville EMS to Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County for treatment of moderate injuries.

Monroe County Sheriff

May 27

Jamie N. Cornell, 44, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI at 12:43 a.m. on Route 3 at Halifax Drive in Waterloo.

Waterloo Police

May 17

Justin A. Widel, 34, of Waterloo, was charged with domestic battery (physical harm) in connection with a March 17 incident during which he allegedly “lit a cigarette into the face of” the female victim.