Suspect who left the scene of an accident still missing, police say

Columbia police were looking for a man they say ran from the scene of a car accident Friday afternoon in north Columbia.

James Houston, of Mount Morris, Mich., had just turned onto Brown Station Road from Lawnridge Court at about 3 p.m. Friday when his vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by 34-year-old Edwin Murray, of Columbia, said Columbia police Sgt. Daniel Beckman.

Before police arrived, Murray ran away, Beckman said.

Murray called the Boone County Sheriff’s Department about an hour later and tried to report the vehicle stolen, Beckman said.

Police tried to locate Murray, but had not been able to do so as of Saturday afternoon, Beckman said.

Houston, 41, was taken by ambulance to University Hospital after complaining of back pain, Beckman said. He was listed in fair condition Saturday evening.

He said both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene of the accident.

Since 2000, Murray has pleaded guilty to charges including DWI, driving without registration and third-degree assault in Boone County Circuit Court, according to Missouri Case.net, and charges of domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance were pending.

Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers, 875-8477.