Two arrested in traffic operation

BENTON -- Two arrests were made and five citations were given during a recent Scott County traffic enforcement operation conducted Wednesday.

The operation took place on Interstate 55 and Interstate 57 in Scott County. The first arrest occurred at 1:34 p.m. when Sergeant Barry Morgan stopped a vehicle driven by Jonathan Evans, 50, of Jackson. Evans was stopped for a lane violation near the 80 mile marker on northbound Interstate 55. It was determined that Evans was driving while suspended and he was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail and then released on a summons. Evans had an active warrant from the state of Illinois, but the agency didn't wish to have him held in custody.

The second arrest took place at 2:51 p.m., but began at 1:37 p.m. when Deputy Carl Rose observed a vehicle parked off the roadway on Interstate 55 south near the 70.2 mile marker. Rose approached from the opposite direction and observed a male subject standing near the rental vehicle. The deputy had to drive to a median crossover location and by the time he got back to the vehicle the driver had left on foot. Other deputies responded to the area and began looking for the driver.

William Witzel

William Witzel

It was found that the driver was William Michael Witzel, 30 of Sikeston. Witzel was found and arrested by Morgan at 1865 County Highway 472 for active warrants out of Scott City, Sikeston, Cape Girardeau County, Poplar Bluff and Ripley County. He was cited for driving while suspended and had the keys on the rental car on his person when he was arrested. He will be held at the Scott County Jail until he is transferred to one of the agencies with an active warrant.

Five deputies took part in the operation funded by a Hazardous Moving Violation (HMV) grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The goal of the grant is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes and to reduce traffic fatalities, and is specifically for traffic enforcement. The operation occurred from noon until 4 p.m. During that period deputies conducted 21 traffic stops, issued 5 summonses, and arrested two people. The summonses issued were: three driving while suspended, one speeding and one for no insurance.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter commended all of the deputies involved in the enforcement operation and the associated arrests. The sheriff states that more enforcement operations are planned, and hopes that the number of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities will go down as a result. The sheriff states that speed and inattention are two major causes of motor vehicle accidents. He asks the citizens of Scott County to please watch their speed and keep their attention to safe driving as their safety and wellbeing are important, and their assistance in helping reduce accidents is greatly appreciated.