New sheriff's department cruiser damaged in accident

Troopers were seeking charges against a Mora man involved in an accident with a Pettis County Sheriff’s Department cruiser.

Troopers requested a charge of leaving the scene of an accident against Brandon D. Reusch, 20, on Wednesday. Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Mittelhauser had yet to file on the charge late Thursday afternoon.

Reusch is accused of striking a patrol car at 2:20 a.m. Aug. 23, and driving away.

The new department cruiser remains at a body shop. Sheriff Kevin Bond said the insurance company is trying to decide whether to total the 2008 Crown Victoria patrol car with 1,500 miles on it, or have it repaired.

“We had just put it into service,” Bond said.

The accident happened when Deputy Javier Gonzalez was southbound on Rattlesnake Hill Road. Gonzalez was nearly all the way through the intersection at Bluhm Road when Reusch’s vehicle struck the patrol car in the right rear, according to Missouri Highway Patrol reports.

Reusch drove away, but officers found his license plate, which came off during the crash.

Troopers arrested Reusch later on Aug. 23. Reusch, accompanied by his family and attorney, turned himself into the patrol’s office, according to reports. Reusch admitted in a written statement that he fell asleep, struck the patrol car, parked the car at his grandparents’ home and went to bed. He said he was unsure what he had struck at the time of the accident.

Reusch was released from the jail without charges.

Gonzalez went to the hospital awhile after the crash, and was treated and released.

 The Sheriff’s Department has 10 cars used for patrol. Bond said Gonzalez is using a car reserve officers use, until the insurance company decides how to proceed with the wrecked car.

snail@sedaliademocrat.com