Memphis Man Charged After Vehicle Hits Building Near Courthouse

MEMPHIS, Mo. — A Memphis man has been charged in Scotland County Circuit Court after authorities said his vehicle struck a building on the south side of the Scotland County Courthouse square and left the scene.

Branden Lee Hager is charged in case No. 26SE-CR00027 with felony leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage exceeding $1,000. He also faces misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle without a valid license, failure to register a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility, failing to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in an accident, failing to stop for a stop sign, failing to signal and failing to have two lighted headlamps.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Trooper K.A. Hurley was called June 6 to assist with a crash investigation in Memphis. Authorities said a black Ford Ranger struck a building on Monroe Street on the south side of the square and left the scene.

The statement said Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney located the vehicle on Main Street. Authorities said the vehicle had extensive front-end damage and that a trail of what appeared to be transmission fluid led from the crash scene to the truck.

The statement said Hager told authorities he had been driving the vehicle, struck the building during the night and went home. Court records said video showed the Ford traveling south on Main Street, failing to stop at a stop sign at Main and Monroe streets, failing to signal, turning east onto Monroe Street without headlights and then leaving the roadway and striking the building.

The patrol said Hager showed signs of impairment, and a breath sample taken later indicated a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.110%.

A criminal summons was issued June 22. Hager is scheduled for an initial appearance at 9 a.m. July 21 before Judge Kimberly J. Nicoli in Scotland County Circuit Court.

The charges are accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.