Executive Summary
- Carl D. Simon pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and aggravated fleeing.
- The defendant was sentenced to a total of 14 years in the Department of Corrections.
- The charges stem from a December 2024 police pursuit that ended in a fatal crash.
- A 32-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
A Springfield man entered a guilty plea on Tuesday regarding a fatal December 2024 vehicle crash in Boone County, resulting in a 14-year prison sentence, according to judicial records. Carl D. Simon admitted guilt to charges of first-degree manslaughter and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention causing physical injury.
Court filings indicate that Simon was originally charged with second-degree murder and aggravated fleeing resulting in death. Under the plea agreement, he was sentenced to nine years for the charge of aggravated fleeing causing physical injury and five years for first-degree manslaughter. These sentences will be served within the Department of Corrections.
The incident began just before 12:30 a.m. in December 2024 when a Boone County deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop for a registration violation near Clark Lane and Ballenger Lane, according to law enforcement reports. Investigators stated that the vehicle refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit through Columbia that ended in a crash on Hinkson Creek Road.
Authorities confirmed that a 32-year-old male passenger from Columbia was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and died at the scene. Simon, identified as the driver, allegedly fled the crash site on foot. Police reports note he was located and arrested approximately 12 hours later in the 3100 block of I-70 Drive Southeast.
It is important to note that criminal charges are formal accusations, and the judicial process relies on the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven or admitted in court.
Judicial & Safety Review
This case underscores the severe legal and physical risks associated with evading law enforcement traffic stops. The 14-year sentence reflects the judicial system’s approach to vehicular fatalities resulting from criminal flight, prioritizing accountability for the loss of life that occurred during the commission of a felony. The resolution via plea agreement avoids a trial while securing significant prison time for the defendant.
