Officer Betty Sickendick stopped a car with extensive front-end damage in the Casey's General Store parking lot, and Marshal Chris Heitman and Officer Chris Pyle responded to assist with the incident.

The driver, 23-year-old William J. Hightower, 5th, and his passenger, Malissa Smith, told the officers another vehicle backed into them at a high speed and then fled the scene. The incident injured both Hightower and Smith, and Smith was transported to Phelps County Hospital. Officers took Hightower into custody for DWI.

Later at a nearby residence, officers located the other vehicle involved in the accident and identified 39-year-old Jeana L. Walsh as the hit-and-run driver. Officers also found what they suspect to be marijuana-related drug paraphenalia and methamphetamine within Walsh's vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, Walsh resisted arrest and assaulted a female officer. She is now charged with traffic violations, DWI, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphenalia. She is being held at Phelps County Jail pending warrant application and officers are applying for felony charges against her with the Maries County Prosecutor's Office.

Source: Belle Chief of Police Chris Heitman