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Illinois Man Charged After Allegedly Fleeing Highway 61 Crash That Left One Seriously Injured

ELSBERRY, Mo. — A driver waiting to turn from U.S. Highway 61 was seriously injured Friday night after authorities say an Illinois man crashed into the back of the stopped vehicle, left his damaged truck behind and fled the area on foot.


Nearly two hours later, deputies located the accused driver more than two miles from the crash scene—covered in mud.


Mendez Moreno Mateo, of Collinsville, Illinois.


Mendez Moreno Mateo booking photograph following his arrest in Lincoln County on charges related to a serious-injury crash on U.S. Highway 61.
Mendez Moreno Mateo remains in custody at the Lincoln County Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond set by Associate Circuit Judge Michael R. Jacobs. No future court date was listed at the time of publication.

Charges:

  • Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Resulting In Physical Injury — Class E Felony

  • Careless And Imprudent Driving Involving An Accident — Class A Misdemeanor

  • Operating A Motor Vehicle Without Maintaining Financial Responsibility — Class C Misdemeanor

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The collision occurred shortly before 9:40 p.m. Friday, July 10, on southbound U.S. Highway 61 at Highway E in the Elsberry area.


A silver 2025 Honda Odyssey was stopped on the highway as its driver waited to turn left into the crossover connecting Highways E and B.


Authorities say Mateo was traveling southbound in a gray 2019 Ford Ranger when he failed to stop and struck the rear of the Honda. The force of the collision sent both vehicles into the center median, leaving the Honda with severe rear-end damage and the Ford with extensive damage to its front end.


When emergency crews arrived, the damaged vehicles remained at the scene—but the driver of the Ford was gone.


The Honda driver suffered serious injuries and was treated at the scene before being transported by Lincoln County Ambulance District to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital–Lake Saint Louis for additional care.


Witnesses reported seeing the Ford’s driver leave the crash on foot immediately after the collision. Mateo was later identified as the driver and only occupant of the truck.


While emergency personnel continued working at the crash scene, law enforcement began searching the surrounding area.


Approximately two hours after the collision, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Mateo at Hill of A Deal Motors along U.S. Highway 61, approximately 2.2 miles from where the crash occurred.


Mateo was reportedly covered in mud when deputies found him shortly before 11:40 p.m.


He was taken into custody and transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was initially held while the Missouri State Highway Patrol completed its investigation and the case was submitted to the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.


Investigators were also unable to locate or verify insurance coverage for the Ford Ranger.

Associate Circuit Judge Michael R. Jacobs later issued a warrant with bond set at $15,000 cash-only. The warrant was served Monday, July 13, and Mateo remained in custody at the Lincoln County Jail at the time of publication.


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Primary Sources

  • Missouri State Highway Patrol probable cause statement

  • Lincoln County arrest warrant

  • Missouri Case.net

  • Lincoln County court records

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