Fairview teen charged with DWI, endangering the welfare of a child

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony fleeing and endangering the welfare of a child and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charges against a Fairview teen who drove at speeds of up to 140 miles per hour during a pursuit Monday night, according to the probable cause statement.

The DWI charge is the second this year for Aiden A. Engle, 19, Fairview, the probable cause statement said. Engle, who is being held without bond, was arraigned today in Newton County Circuit Court. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. November 4 before Judge Jacob Skouby.

According to the probable cause statement, the Neosho Police Department was called to Charro's on a report of a drunk driver. A witness reported that Engle, who was sitting in a red Pontiac in the Walmart parking lot near the garden center, appeared to be intoxicated.

As the police officer was talking with the witness, the car pulled away.

From the probable cause statement:

I attempted to follow the vehicle, but was delayed by traffic. I observed the Pontiac continue westbound on Industrial Drive near Adams Drive at speeds greater than 50 miles per hour, as I was unable to immediately catch up. The vehicle then turned northbound onto Kodiak Road and stopped momentarily at Highway 60 due to a red light.

Upon catching up at the intersection, I observed the vehicle's registration was expired (September 2025). As the Pontiac turned westbound onto Highway 60, I activated my emergency lights and siren, the vehicle accelerated rapidly westbound, refusing to stop. I advised Newton County Dispatch that I was in pursuit of a possible intoxicated driver.

During the pursuit, speeds reached approximately 140 miles per hour, with Mr. Engle passing multiple vehicles and creating a substantial risk to other motorists. While approaching Highway CC, I observed sparks and debris from the vehicle's rear tire, which eventually disintegrated causing the vehicle to slow.

Mr. Engle then turned northbound onto Highway CC and came to a stop at the intersection of Highway CC and Nettle Drive

Upon stopping, I exited my patrol vehicle and issued loud verbal commands for Mr. Engle to show his hands. Mr. Engle refused to comply, repeatedly stating, "I'm a kid," and continued to ignore commands.

A passenger, later identified as Juvenile 1, complied and placed his hands outside the vehicle. It was evident that Mr. Engle knowingly fled law enforcement at extreme speeds while transporting a juvenile passenger, placing him at significant risk of serious injury or death.

After arrest, Mr. Engle was advised of his Miranda rights. When asked how much he had to drink, he replied, "Not too much." I detected the odor of intoxicants on his breath and he displayed slurred speech and bloodshot, glassy eyes. Mr. Engle admitted he fled because his vehicle had improper license plates and no insurance. A records check revealed the license plates were registered to a 2017 Hyundai, not a Pontiac.

A vehicle search conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol located five empty single-shot alcohol bottles and seven unopened single-shot bottles behind the driver's seat. Juvenile 1 later reported that that Mr. Engle instructed him to ignore police commands during the incident, but he chose to comply with officers instead.

Mr. Engle was transported to the Newton County Detention Center, where he was read Implied Consent/Zero Tolerance. He agreed to a breath test, which yielded a 0.16 percent blood alcohol content.

Mr. Engle had a conviction of driving while intoxicated in the city of Jay, Delaware County on March 27, 2025.