COLUMBIA — Columbia police made an arrest Thursday in connection with an Oct. 11 vehicle crash in which one person was killed and two others were injured, according to a news release from the Police Department.
Zachary K. Schouten, 24, was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and second degree assault, the release stated. One of his passengers, Laura J. Wells, 39, died after being partially ejected from the 1991 Mazda Navaho SUV he was driving, the release stated. Schouten and another passenger, Shannon D. Merritt, 34, were injured.
According to the release, a toxicology report indicated Schouten was under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred.
Officer Brian Tate said suspects are charged with second degree assault any time an injury or fatality accident occurs and the suspect was under the influence of alcohol.
As of 11 a.m. Friday, Schouten was being held at the Boone County Jail on $100,000 bail.