COLUMBIA (AP) - A central Missouri prosecutor is facing multiple felony charges after a weekend car crash at a popular downtown Columbia restaurant left four people injured.
Shayne Healea, 36, of the Moniteau County town of California faces a charge of leaving an accident scene and four counts of second-degree assault after allegedly backing his truck into Addison's restaurant on Saturday night. Helea was released from the Boone County jail Sunday night after posting a total of $22,500 in bonds.
Columbia police said Healea backed his Ford F-150 pickup truck, which had the tailgate down, into a part of the building made of glass blocks before moving his truck around the corner. Four restaurant customers were injured by flying debris.
In a written statement, the Moniteau prosecutor said he wasn't initially aware of the crash but immediately returned to the restaurant and identified himself to police as the driver when alerted.
"Apparently, while turning around in a small parking lot, my lowered tailgate contacted a glass block window without my knowledge," he said. "As I was driving less than a block away from this parking lot, an individual advised me of the accident and I immediately returned. I identified myself to police as the driver. Police took me into custody and their investigation continues."
Helea, a Republican, was elected Moniteau County prosecuting attorney in November 2010, two months after receiving his law license and five months after graduating from the University of Missouri law school in Columbia. He earned 63 percent of the votes cast to defeat incumbent Democrat John T. Kay, who had served as county prosecutor for nearly three decades.
Healea, a former police officer, is seeking a second four-year term and is unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election.
The incident took place during homecoming weekend at the nearby Missouri campus.