An Effingham man is in custody in Missouri following multiple reports of dangerous and reckless driving in Fayette County. Brownstown area residents have reported to WKRV-WPMB and www.vandaliaradio.com about an individual driving a white truck allegedly running multiple members of their family off the road on Brownstown Blacktop on Tuesday evening around 5 pm or so. Individuals report the driver of the white truck allegedly turned around multiple times and came at them while they were driving, and is also alleged to have thrown a bottle at one vehicle, causing damage to the grill of the vehicle. Witnesses also said the individual allegedly put on a helmet as he drove back towards them. With multiple reports of him allegedly attempting to run individuals off the road, it’s believed the individual drove on the Brownstown Blacktop for a long period of time.
The incidents then continued in Vandalia. After a Vandalia Police Officer allegedly saw the individual in the white truck spin his tires and accelerate out of a parking lot, the officer activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. Vandalia Police reports say the white truck then accelerated at a high rate of speed as the Officer attempted to catch up. Reports say the driver continued to drive at a high rate of speed and disobeying traffic lights and signs and eventually entered the Interstate 70 east bound ramp and then merged onto I-70. The Vandalia Police Officer observed the white truck slow down before accelerating up to 93 miles per hour. And, the Officer’s report says the vehicle continued to drive partially on the shoulder of the interstate. The Vandalia Police Officer’s report says he observed the truck pass two semis that were side by side by driving with the driver’s side wheels completely in the center median. The Vandalia Police Officer says he then informed dispatch that he was terminating his attempted traffic stop due to safety reasons.
Then, just a few minutes later, another Officer observed the white truck in Vandalia. The officer says in his report that he wanted to make a traffic stop of the truck and activated his emergency lights and siren. The report states he then observed the truck pick up speed and was said to be disobeying traffic laws. The Officer says in the report he had to terminate the pursuit for safety, but did continue to observe the white truck at a slower rate of speed. The Officer says in his report he observed the white truck driving at a high rate of speed and disobeying traffic signs.
Early on Wednesday morning, Vandalia Police Officer learned that the individual had been arrested in Bridgeton, Missouri by the Bridgeton Police Department for multiple offenses, including Fleeing and Eluding, Resisting a Peace Officer, Felony Driving Under the Influence and Felony Revoked Driver’s License. Police reports say that the driver—identified as 29 year old Jordan D. Conkling of Effingham—was allegedly involved in multiple accident during his encounter with Bridgeton, Missouri Police. Fayette County Sheriff Chris Smith says he will be facing charges here and one Vandalia Police Officer includes in his report that he was forwarded information to the Fayette County State’s Attorney for warrants on up to 9 additional charges.
Bridgeton, Missouri Assistant Chief Of Police Mark Mossotti says in an email “Our department is currently investigating an incident involving Mr. Conkling. The incident is classified as a leaving the scene of an accident, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and other traffic charges. Formal charges have not been filed with the Office of the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney in this case as it is still under investigation.”
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