A Columbia man has been sentenced to four years in prison in connection with a high-speed chase in April 2018 that went through Jefferson City and ended in southern Cole County.
Dustin Wheeler, 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree tampering, resisting arrest, first-degree property damage and possession of a controlled substance during a Wednesday hearing before Cole County Judge Jon Beetem.
His sentence will run concurrent to other sentences he's currently serving in the Department of Corrections.
Wheeler was also ordered to pay $18,510 in restitution.
Also involved in this case is Crystal Miller, 32, of Columbia, who is charged with receiving stolen property, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, first-degree property damage, possession of a controlled substance and first-degree tampering. She is awaiting a hearing before Cole County Judge Dan Green.
Officers were dispatched to a call regarding a stolen vehicle near Missouri and Stadium boulevards in Jefferson City, according to police reports. The vehicle had been reported stolen at a convenience store in Columbia after the driver left the vehicle running and went inside the store. Jefferson City police were called after a resident reported the stolen vehicle had rammed into the side of his car on the Walmart parking lot on West Stadium Boulevard and had followed it onto Missouri Boulevard.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the 2500 block of Missouri Boulevard, but the driver, Miller, failed to stop and the pursuit ensued.
The vehicle went east on Missouri Boulevard, then south on Southwest Boulevard, and eventually south onto Route C and outside city limits. Speeds reached as high as 116 mph during the chase.
The pursuit continued until the vehicle reached the intersection of Meadows Ford Road and Route C, where Miller attempted to exit the road and crashed into a rock embankment.
Wheeler was the passenger in the vehicle, and he and Miller were taken by emergency medical personnel from the scene. Miller sustained serious injuries and was airlifted for further treatment, while Wheeler was released from the hospital after treatment and taken into custody for an outstanding felony warrant for absconding on previous charges. Miller had two outstanding warrants on misdemeanor charges at the time of the chase.
A search of the vehicle found several items of stolen property including stolen electronics. Miller and Wheeler also were found to be in possession of methamphetamine.