On Monday night, a deputy sheriff in Missouri was on a car ride with his wife and 4-month-old grandchild when he was hit head-on by a drunk driver evading police, killing the cop and his wife and injuring the infant severely, according to police.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office has charged Garrett Cleaver, 40, with second-degree murder, aggravated fleeing a stop or detention resulting in death, aggravated fleeing a stop or detention resulting in physical injury, and second-degree assault in connection with the Monday night crash on Melton Road near Highlandville.
Deputy Sheriff Mike Adams, 52, was riding as a passenger with his wife Ashley and their grandchild when Cleaver allegedly crossed the centre line and collided with them while speeding away from a traffic stop. According to police, Cleaver has previous convictions for vehicular homicide and evading police in Missouri and Kansas.
“Mike was one of those guys that no matter what the situation was, or what he was asked to do, you could count on him,” said Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole in a statement Tuesday.
“This is another case where the suspect’s criminal history in multiple states reflects a failure on the part of the criminal justice system to keep a dangerous person off the streets and to protect innocent citizens,” Cole said after Cleaver was arrested on Wednesday.
Adams, an Air Force veteran who previously worked for the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, was pronounced dead at the scene of Monday’s crash, along with his wife. Their grandchild was hospitalised with serious injuries but is expected to recover. The couple was travelling eastbound on Melton Road when they collided around 8:50 p.m.
Monday’s crash was a senseless tragedy that claimed the lives of an outstanding constable and a beloved community member’, Cole told the newspaper. “We are continuing with a thorough investigation, and these charges reflect our commitment to pursuing justice for the Adams family.”
According to local Fox and CW affiliate KOAM, Cleaver had a court date in Jasper County in early May for a previous charge but did not appear. A warrant was reportedly issued for his arrest, but he remained free until the Adams incident.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Major Crash Investigation Unit says it is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
