Campbell man faces murder charge after fatal accident

Daily American Republic

CAMPBELL, Mo. -- A Campbell man remains in jail after being charged in connection with an accident that left his passenger dead.

Steve Sokoloff, Dunklin County prosecuting attorney, has charged Connie D. Edwards, 34, with second-degree murder and with not having an operator's license.

The complaint on file with the court says Edwards "knowingly caused the death of an individual, Cherie Campbell, during the commission of a felony." That felony, according to Sokoloff, was Edwards allegedly driving without an operator's license at the time of the accident. The accident occurred at 11:45 p.m. Saturday on Missouri 53, a mile south of Campbell.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Edwards was allegedly northbound when Campbell, 21, of Campbell was thrown from his 1989 Nissan.

"It's going to be a traffic accident," said Sgt. Brent Davis, Troop E's spakesman. "She actually fell out of the car instead of being pushed out" as originally thought. "She was supposedly opening the door to throw up," the patrol reported.

Davis said after Campbell fell out, Edwards allegedly dragged her "quite a few feet before he stopped." Campbell was taken by ambulance to Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Mo., and then flown to Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis, Tenn. She reportedly died en route to the Memphis hospital. Edwards was arrested Sunday and was booked at the Dunklin County Jail. His bond is set at $75,000.

Edwards is set to appear at 9 a.m. today before Associate Circuit Judge Dan Crawford.