A Barnhart man was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated with drugs, after he was involved in two-vehicle collision Friday evening on the I-55 west outer road just south of Arnold.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Paul Wibbenmeyer, 25, of Oakville was driving north on the outer road at 8:42 p.m. and has slowed for traffic south of Commerce Drive when his 2012 Ford Escape was hit from behind on the left side by a 1987 Ford Ranger driven by a 23-year-old Barnhart man. The impact of the collision caused the Escape off the right side of the road, where it struck a fence. The Ranger crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the road.
Wibbenmeyer was not injured in the accident, but the Barnhart man sustained moderate injuries and was taken by Rock Township Ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in south St. Louis County.
He was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.
While the man was at St. Anthony’s, he was arrested by a patrol officer on suspicion of driving while intoxicated-drugs, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash, and for not producing proof of insurance.
He will not be named unless he is charged by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The Barnhart man was not wearing a seat belt while Wibbenmeyer was, the report said; both vehicles had moderate damage.