St. Louis man charged after allegedly fleeing police and causing deadly car crash

A 26-year-old man fleeing police allegedly caused a serious car crash that killed one man in the St. Louis area.

Jacob Spear is facing several charges, including first-degree involuntary manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of fourth-degree assault and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, according to NBC 5.

Spear is being held on a $200,000 bond. 

At the time of the accident, Spear was allegedly driving a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria, which had previously been stolen on April 16.

On May 5, a Shrewsbury police sergeant tried to stop Spear when he saw him running a red light, according to the report.  When the sergeant turned on his lights, Spear sped away. 

Police say that the sergeant turned off his emergency lights and stopped the chase when he realized the driver was fleeing, according to NBC 5.

Soon after, Spear ran a red light and caused a multi-vehicle crash.  Jay Howell, 46, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

Howell died 11 days later from the injuries he suffered during the crash. Howell was the passenger of Spear’s car.

Spears and seven other people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, according to NBC 5.