Nixa teen charged with murder after prosecutors say he fled at 117 mph and caused fatal crash
A Nixa teenager was charged with murder Wednesday after prosecutors say he fled from law enforcement at speeds over 100 mph and caused a crash that killed a 9-year-old boy.
Zachary Fargo, 17, was charged with second-degree murder and three other felonies in the July crash that resulted in the death of Nixa fourth-grader Alex Finley and injuries to three others.
Fargo was charged under Missouri's felony murder rule, meaning prosecutors don't have to prove that he intended to kill anyone, only that he committed a felony and someone died as a result. In this case, the underlying felony is resisting arrest by fleeing.
The Christian County Sheriff's Office says it tried to pull over Fargo for driving erratically at about 9 p.m. on July 13, but he fled and a pursuit was initiated.
Court documents say Fargo ran a red light at Highway 160 and Northview Road and struck a minivan, seriously injuring two occupants and killing Alex.
More:Nixa fourth-grader identified as victim in fatal crash that left 4 others injured
Investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol reviewed the event data recorder from Fargo's car and determined he was going 117 mph at the time of the crash, according to court documents.
Fargo did not appear on the Christian County Jail roster as of Thursday afternoon. He also did not have an attorney listed as representing him.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Nixa teen charged with murder in crash that resulted in death of child
