Photo Courtesy of Daviess DeKalb Regional Jail
A warrant has been issued for a Fort Lauderdale, Florida man who is charged with one felony count and two misdemeanors following a vehicle pursuit Monday morning in Daviess County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s report says a trooper attempted to overtake a black Mercedes-Benz heading southbound on I-35 at the 67-mile marker, but the vehicle increased its speed. The vehicle eventually went into the median and across the northbound lane of I-35, drove up the wrong way up a ramp, and turned east on Missouri Highway 6. The Mercedes-Benz was later found heading west on Highway 6 and turned southbound onto I-35. The Mercedes-Benz continued at a high rate of speed according to the report. It exited onto Highway 36 and headed west and attempted to go north on U.S. 69 in Cameron. Eventually, when in the wrong lane, the vehicle struck another vehicle head-on. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle and fled the crash on foot. 31-year-old Joel M. Stokes, who’s birthday is Tuesday, was then taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. Stokes was taken to the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. Stokes is facing charges in Daviess County which include Felony Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention, C Misdemeanor-Driving in the Wrong Direction on Highway Divided into Two or More Roadways-Causing an Immediate Threat of an Accident, and Failing to Drive Within the Right Lane of Highway with 2 or more Lanes In Same Direction.