Columbia man injured after his moped was sideswiped, police said

A Columbia man was injured Friday after a man sideswiped his moped and drove away, Columbia police said.

At around 8:30 p.m., a 60-year-old man was driving north on a moped in the 200 block of North Garth Avenue when a vehicle going south drove into the northbound lane to pass another car and sideswiped the moped, said Columbia police Officer T. Timmerman, who declined to give his first name. The driver of the vehicle that hit the moped drove away.

The victim, whom police declined to name, was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Timmerman identified the suspect as Frankie E. Roland. Columbia police arrested him on suspicion of second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident and careless and imprudent driving.

Police found Roland on McBaine Avenue changing a flat tire that they think was caused by the crash, Timmerman said.

Timmerman said Roland made incriminating statements that linked him to the accident. Timmerman also said officers developed probable cause that indicated the suspect was intoxicated.

Roland has previously pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, obstructing government operations, and possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana, according to court records. He also pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree statutory sodomy in Boone County Circuit Court in January 2000 and was sentenced to seven years in prison, according to court records.

Roland was released from the Boone County Jail after posting $9,000 bond.

Anyone with any information on the crash may call CrimeStoppers, 875-8477.