Illinois Man Accused of Leaving Wright City Crash, Threatening Responders and Kicking Officer
WRIGHT CITY, Mo. — Police say James Lewis Rippy explained why he ran from a Halloween evening crash: he was drunk. By the time he reached the county jail, the investigation had expanded beyond the damaged vehicle he left behind.
A hospital trip for medical clearance ended with an officer reporting a swollen, painful knee after being kicked. Along the way, police say, Rippy threatened the people handling his arrest and their families. He now faces two felony charges in Warren County.
James Rippy — Granite City, Il.
CHARGES
Third-degree assault involving a special victim — felony.
Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage exceeding $1,000 — felony.
The incident began around 6:50 p.m. October 31 on North Service Road. Another driver and a witness told police Rippy tried to pass a vehicle but could not complete the maneuver, causing a collision.
What followed left that driver with more than $1,000 in estimated damage and no opportunity to exchange information. Rippy made a U-turn, drove a short distance east, stopped and fled on foot, police say.
Officers located him about 200 yards from the collision. A records check connected him to the vehicle, and police recovered its key from his pocket.
After being advised of his rights, Rippy acknowledged leaving the scene and attributed his decision to being drunk. He told the officer he had consumed no additional alcohol after the crash. The officer also described observing numerous signs of intoxication.
Rippy was taken to the Wright City Police Department, where he refused further testing during the impaired-driving investigation. But his arrival at the Warren County Jail did not end the night’s events.
Correctional staff requested a medical evaluation before accepting him for confinement. An officer then transported him to SSM Health in Wentzville.
As they approached the emergency room, Rippy pulled away and kicked the officer in the left knee, the officer reported. The kick caused swelling and pain.
The officer took Rippy to the ground before escorting him through the hospital’s ambulance entrance. He was later medically cleared and returned to the jail.
The alleged assault forms one of the two felony counts now pending against him. The other stems from leaving the crash scene.
Police also described threats that extended across the different stops that evening. Officers, correctional staff and medical personnel were among those targeted, with threats of bodily harm and sexual violence directed at officers and threats against their loved ones.
During transportation, Rippy repeatedly slammed his head against the prisoner partition while shouting racial slurs, the officer reported.
The police account also identifies a revoked driver’s license and prior impaired-driving and revoked-license convictions. Although those issues were part of the investigation, the warrant provided for this story lists only the assault and leaving-the-scene charges.
Rippy appeared in court November 3, when an initial appearance and bond review were held. The court required an extradition waiver before any release; that document was filed November 4.
His next bond review is set for November 10.
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Sources
Wright City Police Department statement filed by Officer N. Mullins, agency case 26-00728WC.
Warren County arrest warrant, case 26BB-CR00805.
Missouri Case.net docket entries and scheduled hearing information provided for this story.
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