Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Neosho man charged with felony DWI in connection with January 23 fatal crash


The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony driving while intoxicated (death of another) charge today against a Neosho man who was involved in a two-vehicle crash January 23 in which his passenger was killed.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Brandon Dean Waldrip, 39, with bond set at $10,000 cash or surety.







According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Nissan Maxima driven by Waldrip failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the side of a 2011 Chevrolet Impala driven by Jaynar Joseph, 33, Neosho.

Waldrip's passenger, Roy D. Waters, 56, Neosho, was taken to Freeman West Hospital where he later died.

From the probable cause statement:

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 1750 hours, I was notified of a two-vehicle crash at US 60 and Missouri Route Y, in Newton County, Missouri. 

As a result of the investigation, I arrested Brandon D. Waldrip, 39, for operating a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition and issued a citation for fail to yield to a vehicle that had entered intersection with no traffic control. Waldrip was transported to Newton County Jail where he was processed and released to a sober driver. 

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 1750 hours, I was notified of a two-vehicle crash at US 60 and Missouri Route Y, in Newton County, Missouri. I arrived on scene at approximately 1801 hours and observed a 2016 Nissan Maxima on US 60 in the eastbound lane of traffic, and a 2011 Chevrolet Impala in the ditch on the north side of US 60. 








I made contact with the driver of the Nissan, later identified as Brandon D. Waldrip, 39, and I observed an odor of intoxicants emitting from him, his speech was slurred, and he was mumbling. I asked Waldrip what happened, and he told me that he attempted to cross US 60 from Route Y and he was hit. 

An examination of the scene indicated that Waldrip failed to yield to the Chevrolet traveling east on US 60 and began to enter the intersection from Route Y. The Chevrolet struck the side of Waldrip's Nissan. 

A fire fighter informed me that he noticed the odor of intoxicants emitting from Waldrip. I asked Waldrip if he had anything to drink that night and at first he said, "none." 

I asked again and he said that he had some a while ago. I asked how long ago he consumed the alcohol and he said when he got out of the car from the crash he "slammed two." 

I asked what that meant and he informed me two shots of rum. I asked Waldrip to provide me a Preliminary Breath Sample and he told me that he was not going to blow on anything. I asked him if he would participate in any field sobriety test and he informed he would not. 

At approximately 1833 hours, I placed Waldrip under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition. At this time Waldrip pulled out a pack of vodka shots that were in a plastic wrapping. There was room for six shots, however; there were only 4 in the wrapping. I never located the two vodka shots that were missing. 

 5) Waldrip had his uncle who was a passenger in the right front seat of the Maxima. {He} was almost unresponsive in the passenger seat. He would grunt when talked to. {He} had a hospital wrist band on and was noticeably swollen in his extremities.

I believed at the time that {he}was possibly suffering from a diabetic episode based on past experiences. After {he} was transported to the hospital, Waldrip's sister arrived on scene and informed me the {passenger}was dying from cirrhosis of the liver. 








At this time I did not believe that {he}was seriously injured. I was notified on January 31, 2024, that {he}died due to injuries sustained from the crash. At the time of the arrest I believed that the arrest was a misdemeanor and a warrant for Waldrip's blood was not needed. 

A routîne computer check revealed Waldrip had been convicted of one prior alcohol-related traffic offenses. He was arrested for Driving while intoxicated on November 21, 2010, by the Newton County Sheriff's Department.

He was convicted of this offense on May 11, 2011.

 At approximately 1845 hours, I transported Waldrip to Newton County Jaíl for processing. Waldrip was fingerprinted using Offence Cycle Number HB008854. 

I issued Waldrip the following Uniform Citation: 

 A) 704238044- DWI with a person less than 17 year of age in vehicle. 

 B) 704238045- Fail to yield to vehicle that had entered intersection with no traffic control. 

This incident was captured on my patrol car video system.

***

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