Southern Illinois man charged with vehicular assault in Cape wreck

A Cairo, Ill., man faces vehicular assault charges based on allegations that he was legally drunk Sunday when he wrecked his Pontiac in an accident that injured a pedestrian.

Richard Brownlee, 22, was charged Monday with one felony count of second-degree assault, which can be applied to individuals said to be criminally negligent for driving drunk and causing an accident. An arrest warrant had been issued for Brownlee, according to court documents.

According to a Cape Girardeau Police Department probable-cause affidavit, an officer was dispatched to an accident near the South Spanish and Independence streets intersection. The officer noticed the 23-year-old woman had been struck by a motor vehicle and was sitting on the side of the street with wounds to her head, the statement said.

The woman also had several scratches on her hands. The patrolman then made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Brownlee.

Brownlee told police he had been driving on the street when the victim walked in front of his car. Brownlee said he was unable to stop before striking her. The officer noticed Brownlee was slurring his words, the statement read, and the smell of alcohol.

Brownlee said he had consumed two beers, no more, and consented to field sobriety tests administered by the officer. The officer said Brownlee failed them. He provided a breath sample, which showed his blood alcohol level at .091, which is above Missouri's legal limit. Brownlee later admitted to police he had drunk four, 16-ounce cans of beer.

Because the wreck involved an injury, it is elevated to a felony that carries a possible punishment of up to four years in prison.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence, Cape Girardeau, Mo.