KENNETT, Mo. -- A scheduled trial for a man accused in a 2013 hit and run near Dexter has been continued to a later date.
The trial was for the case against Tommy Andrew West, 28, who is charged with the Class D felony of leaving the scene of an accident after being sought by authorities for several days.
West, who is accused in the wreck that seriously injured an elderly Bloomfield couple, also faces two counts of the Class C felony of second-degree assault.
While originally scheduled to appear in a Dunklin County courtroom Wednesday afternoon, West's recently hired attorney David Huffman Ward requested a continuance for the trial. The trial was scheduled to take place on Monday, March 10, before Judge Robert Mayer.
Only one day was allotted for the trial, with jury selection having been scheduled for the same date.
No date has been set for the trial, however a March hearing will take place to set the date.
The Wednesday hearing was scheduled as a pretrial conference, which is when attorneys are asked to have any pretrial motions prepared and ready to be argued before the judge.
West's case was transferred to Dunklin County in late September on a change of venue request.
The accident in question occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, May 4, 2013.
West is accused of having rear-ended a westbound vehicle on Hwy. 60, just inside the Dexter city limits.
The other vehicle was driven by a Bloomfield couple--Anna and C.G. Edwards. Their vehicle overturned when it was struck and Anna Edwards was ejected.
She was airlifted from the scene and immediately transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Her husband was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Both victims continue to receive treatment related to the crash.
West's vehicle left the roadway after the collision and he is reported to have fled the scene.
Since being arrested, West has had additional charges brought against him as the result of a fight during which he allegedly assaulted two individuals with a broken broom handle.
He faces two counts of the Class C felony of assault in the second degree and two counts of the unclassified felony of armed criminal action.
West remains in custody in lieu of a $20,000 bond on the crash-related charges. However, no bond was allowed for the charges stemming from the fight due to being, according to the arrest warrant, "a danger to the community."
Contact Corey Noles at cnoles@dailystatesman.com