Man runs estranged wife off road into creek, killing her, Missouri officials say
.png "A Missouri woman died after officials say she was run off the road by her husband.")
A Missouri man was arrested after officials said he intentionally ran his estranged wife off a road and into a creek, killing her.
Donald A. Pierce Jr. was charged with second degree murder, according to court records.
On Oct. 5, Missouri State Troopers responded to a report of a crash in Franklin County. When officials arrived, they found a green 1999 Ford Explorer overturned and submerged in a creek, according to court records.
Authorities found a woman dead at the scene, later identified as 45-year-old Jody Pierce, according to KSDK. The probable cause statement only identifies the victim by initials JP.
A witness told troopers they were on the phone with Jody Pierce while she was driving and Jody Pierce told them that her husband, Donald A. Pierce Jr., was chasing her, court records said.
Other witnesses told troopers they saw Donald A. Pierce Jr. in a Chevrolet Impala at the scene of the crash. His cell phone was also found near Jody Pierce’s vehicle, court records said.
Authorities tracked down the Impala at the car owner’s home, according to court records. They told troopers that Donald arrived at their house and told them he was involved in a crash, then left.
Another witness told investigators that before the crash, Jody Pierce dropped her off at a home around 4 p.m. While still inside Jody Pierce’s Explorer, Donald showed up and “jumped through the front passenger side window,” she said, according to court records.
She said Donald A. Pierce Jr. verbally assaulted Jody Pierce then ran up the street and got in the Impala and tried to block Jody Pierce in the driveway. Jody Pierce eventually left and began driving, with Donald driving recklessly and cutting in front of her, she told investigators, according to court records.
Authorities said they believe Donald A. Pierce Jr. intentionally struck Jody Pierce’s vehicle, causing her to go off the roadway, strike a tree, and overturn into a creek.
Donald A. Pierce Jr. was arrested Oct. 6.
When Donald A. Pierce Jr. was questioned by investigators, he told them he was chasing Jody Pierce and was there when she crashed, but denied striking her vehicle, court records said.
He told authorities he jumped in the water to try and save Jody Pierce, but there was nothing he could do, according to court records.
“They’ve been married for 20 years and for the last three years, I’ve been trying to tell her, he was just not the person for her,” Jody Pierce’s cousin Jerry Pehle told KSDK. “She didn’t need this, she didn’t deserve this.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Man runs estranged wife off road into creek, killing her, Missouri officials say."
