Police Pursuit Results in Accident

A police pursuit resulted in an accident last Wednesday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2014 Ford Focus driven by Dustin Smith (31) of Independence was traveling northbound on 71 five miles south of Maryville at around 8:00 am, being pursued by the Nodaway County Sheriff's Department. The vehicle struck a tire deflation device and skidded out of control, traveling off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a road sign, overturned, and came to rest on its wheels in the median. Smith was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Smith received minor injuries and was taken to Nodaway County by the Maryville Department of Public Safety. The vehicle received extensive damage and was towed from the scene.