Off Duty Officer Involved in Accident

Monday, October 24, 2011

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Monday, Jefferson City Police officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Tanner Bridge Road in response to a call about a hit and run accident that had just occurred. The caller stated an orange vehicle had struck a parked pickup truck and had left the scene toward Ellis Blvd. The suspect vehicle was located at approximately 11:33 am by officers on a Flora Drive business parking lot.

The operator of the vehicle was identified as Rachael Barnard, 35 year old female Jefferson City resident and an off-duty Jefferson City Police officer.

Barnard was arrested and transported to the Jefferson City Police Department.

Municipal charges are pending for Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Driving While Intoxicated.

She was transported to the Cole County Jail where she posted bond.

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gofish 1 year, 7 months ago

I thought if you were arrested for DWI that would wouldn't be able to bond out until after you had sobered up? What prevents her (or any drunk driver) from jumping right back into a vehicle and driving drunk again.

This happened once in another MO town, where a DWI arrestee bonded out, was behind the wheel within an hour and killed someone. That town changed their policy after they were sued for wrongful death. Seems like the JCPD are taking on an unusually big liability.