Pony shuttle driver says he saw no fights the night man disappeared

A shuttle driver for The Pony nightclub says he did not see any fights or split up any groups to end an altercation the night Joey Caruso disappeared.

The body of Caruso, 24, was pulled from the Mississippi River near the Southeast Missouri Port Authority on July 15, two days after he failed to return from a night out at the East Cape Girardeau nightclub.

Jeremy Bourland, who identified himself as Caruso's former roommate, said Tuesday that a shuttle driver from The Pony had mentioned seeing Caruso and another man fighting in the parking lot the night of his disappearance and telling Caruso he would drive him back to Cape Girardeau after he dropped off the other man.

But Shawn Heath said Wednesday he was the only driver on duty that night, and he did not see a fight outside the club or separate customers as they were leaving.

Heath said he spoke with a detective who was investigating the case but was unable to provide any useful information, because he did not recognize Caruso.

"I told him I wished I could have helped more," said Heath, who estimates he shuttles 65 customers a night.

"He was not a regular that I knew by face, and as far as separating loads, I did not, and as far as seeing a confrontation that night, I did not," he said.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Bourland -- who has said he suspects foul play in Caruso's disappearance and has been collecting information in hopes of learning how he ended up in the river -- acknowledged he has received conflicting stories about the events of the evening.

"I literally have written down probably eight or nine different versions" of events, Bourland said. "No one seems to be saying the exact same thing."

Heath said two other agencies offer rides to and from The Pony, so it's possible someone could have been confused about which shuttle service was which.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

519 State Highway 146, McClure, IL

Southeast Missouri Port Authority, Scott County, MO