Suspected drunk driver facing felony charges after couple dies in crash

A Campbell, Missouri, man is facing felony charges after a head-on collision that killed a husband and wife late Friday in Dunklin County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is seeking two counts of felony manslaughter against Shawn L. Skaggs, 24, of Campbell. He is in the Dunklin County Jail on a 24-hour hold.

Dunklin County Coroner James Powell at 12:10 a.m. Saturday pronounced James P. Kerperien, 46, and Stephanie A. Kerperien, 44, both of Campbell, dead at the scene of the crash on U.S. 62, just east of County Road 317 in Dunklin County.

According to reports, Skaggs was driving west in a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado at 11:55 p.m. Friday on U.S. 62, one-quarter-mile east of County Road 317, when the truck crossed the center line and struck the eastbound 1997 Buick sedan driven by James Kerperien.

The highway patrol said Saturday that Skaggs was suspected of being intoxicated at the time of his arrest, but further details were not available.

Reports indicate James and Stephanie Kerperien were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, and Skaggs was not.