The Missouri State Highway Patrol is looking for a man who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal accident early Monday morning (May 14) on Hwy. 30 west of Ficken Road in Dittmer, Cpl. Juston Wheetley said.
A 28-year-old Dittmer woman – Codie E. Rulo – died in the accident.
The suspect, who allegedly was driving the car when it crashed, has been identified, but as of Tuesday morning (May 15), he had not been taken into custody, Wheetley said.
“We know who it is,” Wheetley said. “It was a stolen vehicle, which is probably why he ran. He also has some outstanding warrants for his arrest.”
Wheetley said he can’t release the suspect’s name until charges are filed.
He also said Tuesday that the arresting officer was preparing warrants for the suspect’s arrest.
According to the accident report, the wreck happened at about 1:17 a.m. when the suspect was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic east on Hwy. 30, and while “traveling too fast to negotiate a curve in the road,” the car ran off the south edge of the road, struck a utility police and then overturned before striking another utility pole.
Then, the suspect allegedly ran from the scene before police arrived, the report said.
Rulo was pronounced dead at the scene by Big River Ambulance personnel, according to the report.
She was not wearing a seat belt, and it’s not known whether the driver was wearing one, the patrol reported.
The Sonic was totaled in the accident, the report said.