Month: July 2022

The Springfield Fire Department battled the flames of a structure fire at an apartment building in Springfield early Thursday morning.

Crews were called to the Viking Apartments, located on South Luster Avenue north of East Sunshine, at around 4 a.m. this morning.

The Red Cross was also called to the scene to assist with displaced residents.

Authorities reported that roughly a dozen apartments were affected by the flames, and over 30 people were displaced.

Several injuries were reported, from fire and smoke related injuries to one person who suffered injuries from an apparent jump from the building.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

Springfield Police closed the streets around Chestnut Expressway and Main Avenue, when a stolen car, belonging to a man wanted from Massachusetts, was found in the parking lot of the post office Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities were told he might have explosives in the car.

A bomb squad robot checked the car but found nothing.

Streets were reopened before 6 p.m.

The F-B-I and Fire Marshall have taken over the investigation.

One of the men charged in connection with the death of Cassidy Rainwater is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning in Dallas County.

The public defender for James Phelps has filed a motion to dismiss a charge of abandonment of a corpse.

The judge was expected to hear the defense’s reasons for filing that motion at a hearing that was postponed in April.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a car that was found submerged in the Lake of the Ozarks.

Crews were searching the water for a local attorney that has been missing since earlier this week when they discovered the vehicle.

In assistance with the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, authorities pulled the car from the water Wednesday morning and discovered it was a car that had been reported missing since 2006.

Investigators initially believed the vehicle may have been connected to the disappearance of Lake Ozark attorney Brian Byrd, but determined that was not the case.

Deputies want to inform the public that the local attorney has been missing since Monday morning.

If you or anyone you know has information about Byrd’s whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Camden County Sheriff’s Office at (573)346-2243.

In an attempt to inspire the community, a man from Springfield has created a
scavenger hunt, hiding money around the city.

The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, began hiding tins around Springfield containing hundred dollar bills with the date it was hiding on a piece of paper inside the tin.

According to the Twitter account the man created, the tradition began in 2019 to encourage other residents to be more generous. For information about the scavenger hunt, including
clues on locations of tins throughout Springfield, visit @SGF_gives on
Twitter.

In a press release from the Springfield Police Department, new details, including the name of the victim, have been released regarding a fatal crash in Springfield over the weekend.

According to police, they responded to the area of Kearney and Robberson Sunday night and found a vehicle unable to operate. Authorities contact a tow truck company to move the vehicle.

As the tow truck was moving the vehicle, officers blocked the intersection to protect the driver of the truck.

It was at that time that 18-year-old Blake Jones approached the scene on a motorcycle traveling at, according to officers, a high-rate of speed.

When Jones attempted to stop, he lost control of the motorcycle, hit a utility pole, and then collided with the vehicle being towed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The press release from SPD can be seen below:

Springfield police were investigating a motor vehicle crash at Kearney and Robberson on July 10, 2022, that had occurred at 8:26 p.m.

During the investigation, officers used a patrol car with emergency lights to block the westbound lanes, allowing a tow truck to tow the disabled vehicle.

At 9:10 p.m., a 2008 Yamaha motorcycle traveling west on Kearney approached the previous accident scene at a high rate of speed.

The driver lost control of the motorcycle, left the roadway, struck a utility pole, and finally, the vehicle being towed.

Officers immediately rendered aid to the motorcycle rider, but he died at the scene.

The motorcycle driver was identified as Blake Jones, 18, from Springfield. Jones’ family has been notified.

Officers with the department’s Traffic Section are continuing to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This was the 11th fatal motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2022.

Two people have been arrested after a shooting incident at a residence in Roby.

Jason Brazell was arrested on June 30th and charged with first-degree domestic assault, first degree armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Andrea Brazell was arrested on July 2nd and charged with first degree assault and armed criminal action.

Jason Brazell allegedly fired a rifle at family members and a guest, Andrea Brazell allegedly shot and wounded a man who was approaching the home. Both are being held without bond.

Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies engaged in a high-speed chase through the city over the weekend that ended with the suspect in critical condition after being hit by another car.

Reports say officers attempted to stop 39-year-old Lonnie Mackie under the suspicion of driving while intoxicated when he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase.

The chase began along Kansas Expressway, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

The pursuit ended when Mackie turned onto James River Freeway and crashed at the intersection of Scenic Avenue.

Following the crash, officers say he got out of the vehicle and began to flee on foot along the freeway. While on foot, Mackie was hit by another vehicle.

First responders transported Mackie to Cox Hospital in Springfield, where they say he is suffering from serious injuries, including a brain bleed.

No charges have been filed yet, but prosecutors say they are considering several charges, including resisting arrest and DWI charges.