Neosho woman charged with DWI following death of passenger in car she hit

(From the Neosho Police Department) 

On April 2, 2002, at 1:27 a.m., Neosho officers were dispatched to Baxter Street just west of Hickory Street in reference to a fatality accident.

Officers on the scene reported that a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe collided with the rear of a 2006 Nissan Altima, and a passenger in the vehicle was deceased.

During their investigation, officers discovered there were indications of impairment in the driver of the Tahoe, however the investigation will be awaiting blood test results from the Missouri Highway Patrol Crime Lab for confirmation of the impairment.

Kearah Lovett, 22, Neosho, was pronounced dead on the scene. Ms. Lovett was the back seat passenger in the vehicle that was struck. The driver and front-seat passenger survived with substantial, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Tahoe, 27-year-old Stormie Judy Dean, was taken into custody. The Newton County prosecutor has formally charged Ms. Dean with driving while intoxicated (death of another, not a passenger), a class B felony. Ms. Dean's bond is set at $100,000 cash only.

The accident is still under investigation. If anyone has any information on the situation, please contact the Neosho Police Department at 417-451-8000.