A 49-year-old Hillsboro man who was being chased by police was hurt Wednesday morning (May 9) when he crashed the car he was driving on Washington Avenue at Harrison Street St. in Francois County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
At 11 a.m., Farmington Police officers were chasing the man, who was headed south in a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis when he allegedly ran a stop sign, and his car struck a westbound 2016 Jeep Patriot driven by Chelsea N. Serini, 27, of Park Hills. The Grand Marquis continued south and struck two parked vehicles, the report said.
Stephen E. Effrein, 58, of Farmington was the driver of one of the parked vehicles – a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee – and Michel G. Williams, 72, of Farmington was the driver of the other parked vehicle – a 2013 Toyota Sienna. No injuries were reported for Effrein or Williams.
However, the Hillsboro man was moderately injured and Serini sustained minor injuries. The Hillsboro man was taken by St. Francois Ambulance District to Parkland Health Center-Farmington, and Serini was taken by private conveyance to Parkland, where they were both treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The Hillsboro man and Serini were wearing seat belts, the patrol reported.
The Grand Marquis and the Grand Cherokee were totaled, and the Patriot and Sienna had minor damage, the report said.
Farmington Police said in a written statement that the Hillsboro man was being chased in connection with a shoplifting incident earlier that morning at the Farmington Walmart, 1400 W. Main St. A 25-year-old Arnold woman is also a suspect in that shoplifting incident, the report said.
According to the report, Walmart security called police after spotting the woman, who was suspected of shoplifting at the store on other occasions. The woman reportedly left the store and got into the Mercury.
An officer saw the car in the area and attempted to pull it over, but the Hillsboro man, who was driving it, reportedly did not stop, and a pursuit ensued.
After the traffic accident, both the Hillsboro man and the Arnold woman got out of the car and attempted to flee, but they were taken into custody. The man was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and the woman, who sustained minor injuries but refused treatment, was taken to St. Francois County Jail, the report said.
Farmington Police will seek charges against the man through the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for resisting arrest, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, careless and imprudent driving, and traffic violations, according to the report.
In addition, Farmington Police will seek charges against the woman for stealing and resisting arrest.