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Driver arrested after three injured in drunk driving crash

July 4, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones

                 Three people were injured, one requiring a lifeflight, when a drunk driver hit them head on near Monett, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The driver was taken into police custody and has since been charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors as a result.
                 According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by James W. Dean, 36, of Cassville, was headed northbound on MO 37 about a mile south of Monett on Thursday, June 28. Around 9:15 p.m., a 1997 GMC Yukon, driven by Victor A. Salas Ochoa, 34, of Purdy, crossed the center line and struck the Suburban head on.
                 After the crash, the affidavits of probable cause state witnesses saw Salas Ochoa stumbling away from the scene and run into a field. First responders searched for him for five hours with no success.
                 Dean and two passengers in the Suburban sustained injuries as a result of the crash. Dean and Cheyenne L. Engman, 20, of Purdy, were both moderately injured. A third person, Brittany L. Wise, 22, of Purdy, suffered serious injuries and had to be airlifted from the scene.
                 Wise was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Engman was taken by private vehicle to Mercy Hospital in Cassville and Dean sought his own treatment.
                 Officers found Salas Ochoa at his home later. He was wearing the same clothing described by witnesses at the scene, was visually intoxicated and had bloodshot eyes. He had also vomited on his shirt, according to officers. Salas Ochoa had no reported injuries and was taken into police custody at 2:15 a.m. after failing a breath test for alcohol.
                 Both vehicles were totalled and towed by Certified Towing, of Monett.
                 Dean, Engman and Salas Ochoa were all wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Wise was not wearing a seatbelt.
                 Salas Ochoa is charged with one felony count of driving while intoxicated - serious injury and one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident - physical injury. He is also charged with misdemeanor failure to drive on right half of the roadway and misdemeanor operating a vehicle without a valid license as a first offense.
                 Salas Ochoa is currently being held in the Barry County Jail in lieu of a $40,000 cash-only bond.
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  • Home
  • This Week's Issue
    • Williams named Cassville Area Chamber director
    • Patients, staff evacuated at Mercy Cassville
    • ER Reopens at Mercy Hospital Cassville
    • Vaccination Clinics Rescheduled
    • Statewide Tornado Drill Tuesday
    • General Municipal Election Information
    • CoxHealth names new System Director of Public Safety & Security
    • Second Reminder for Assessment Lists
    • CoxHealth, Mercy report COVID vaccine status
    • Ladycats claim second in wrestling sectional
    • Lady Bulldogs win district opener
    • Southwest runs past Diamond in district opener
    • “Day 100” celebrated at Eunice Thomas Elementary
    • Sanders named “Student of the Month”
    • 4-H Clubs are still active
    • Purdy father, son speak for FFA tradition
    • Wrecks result in minor, moderate injuries
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Next tier in COVID-19 Vaccine Plan to be activated
  • Classifieds
  • Obituaries
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Rates
    • Place Ad
  • Contact us
  • Archives
  • Subscription