Poplar Bluff teen in Cape Girardeau hospital after falling from back of moving car

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff teen is in a Cape Girardeau hospital intensive care unit after he was thrown into the roadway while apparently riding on the back of a car early this morning.

John Logan Leist, 17, of the 2100 block of Westwood is being treated in the surgical intensive care unit at Saint Francis Medical Center.

At 5 a.m., a doctor reported to the Poplar Bluff Police Department that Leist had a broken clavicle and was still unconscious following the accident.

Leist was injured while apparently riding on the back of a 1995 Pontiac Firebird, which was being driven by Travis Aaron Ball, 17, of the 2300 block of Orr. The accident occurred at about 1:35 a.m. on Westwood Boulevard near Crestwood Drive.

Witnesses reported to Cpl. Chuck Harris that Ball's vehicle made a left turn from Crestwood onto Westwood in a "careless manner," Harris said in his report. "Witnesses advised a subject was riding (laying face down) on the back (exterior) part" of the car.

Ball's vehicle, Harris said, allegedly continued northbound, swerving between the inside and outside lanes. Witnesses described the car as fish-tailing.

Harris said Leist was ejected into the turn lane and the inside northbound lane of Westwood.

The witnesses, who were nurses at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, reportedly administered aid to an unconscious Leist prior to the arrival of emergency medical services personnel.

Upon EMS's arrival, Harris said, Leist was flown to Saint Francis.

Ball and his front seat passenger, Kyle Batton, reportedly told Harris that Leist "wanted to ride on the back of (Ball's car), and they told him no. (Leist) climbed out the rear seat of (the car) onto the back of the car."

While at the scene, Patrolman Shane Bates also contacted Ball.

Bates reported smelling a "strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath."

After performing several field sobriety tests, Ball was arrested at 2 a.m. on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and second-degree assault.

Ball, who was told of his rights, told Bates he, Leist and Batton had been at Taco Bell.

"Ball stated they decided to leave and Leist insisted on riding on top of his car," Bates said in his report. "Ball stated he and Kyle Batton tried to talk Leist out of riding on the car; however, Leist refused to get off the car."

Bates said he was told Ball drove southbound from Taco Bell through the parking lots and turned east onto Crestwood.

"Ball said he then turned onto (Westwood) and drove north," Bates said. "(He) said when he turned onto (Westwood) he 'got on it.'"

Ball reportedly continued driving north and noticed Leist was not on the car when he approached McDonald's.

"Ball said he turned the car around and found Leist laying in the middle" of the road, Bates said.

Ball was taken to the police station, where he registered a blood-alcohol content of .133 percent on a breath test. He was booked and released to his mother.

Pertinent address:

Westwood Boulevard, Poplar Bluff, Mo.