Sikeston man charged in deadly incident at family gathering

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Southeast Missouri man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly driving into a crowd of relatives at a family barbecue, killing a man and injuring five others, including three children.

Joseph Thornton, 25, of Sikeston, also was charged with armed criminal action, endangering the welfare of a child and five counts of first-degree assault, a spokesman for the Scott County prosecutor's office said Tuesday. Thornton was jailed on $100,000 bond.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at a home in Sikeston. The homeowner told police that Thornton, his cousin, had been asked to leave the gathering because he was "being obnoxious toward another guest," according to a probable-cause statement from police.

Thornton allegedly got into a 2001 Chevrolet Impala with his 3-year-old daughter in the back seat. According to witnesses, Thornton backed from the driveway into the street, squealed his tires and accelerated into the driveway toward the house.

Several people in the driveway scattered, some grabbing children to push them out of the way, witnesses told police.

Keremie Johnson, 33, was killed when he became stuck under the Impala, police said. One of the adult victims suffered broken bones in both legs, while other adults had minor injuries. Details about the conditions of the children -- two 3-year-olds and a 4-year-old -- were not released. All were flown to hospitals in St. Louis.

The car came to a stop only after hitting the house.

Police said Thornton has an extensive criminal record that included driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, assault, domestic assault and robbery.