“Rolling domestic,” crash results in multiple charges

Authorities say a Poplar Bluff couple involved in a “rolling domestic” dispute Thursday morning caused a crash at the Mansion Mall and then fled the scene.

The driver, identified as Goeffrey Donald Spears Jr., 31, later was found and arrested at his Spring Street apartment.

Spears subsequently was charged with the Class E felonies of leaving the scene of an accident and first-degree property damage and the Class A misdemeanor of fourth-degree domestic assault. His bond is set at $50,000 cash or surety, and he remains in the Butler County jail.

The charges against Spears stem from an incident that was reported at about 9:20 a.m. to the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

Officers were sent to the Mansion Mall in reference to an accident and the drivers fighting, Cpl. T.J. Akers wrote in his report. One of the drivers allegedly fled the scene in a black Dodge Charger, heading toward Kanell Boulevard.

Akers said he contacted the other driver, identified as Michael Robinson, whose 2018 Chevrolet Sonic had “disabling damage” to its passenger side.

Robinson, Akers said, reported he was driving when he saw a black Charger with a woman trying to get out of the passenger door while the car was in motion.

“The driver of the black Charger accelerated and crashed into his vehicle,” Akers said. “The female was thrown from the vehicle.

“(She) began to run away, screaming for help.”

Robinson told Akers the driver, later identified as Spears, got out and began yelling at him.

“A witness stopped and told (Spears) to leave,” Akers said. “(Spears) yelled at the female, and she got back into the vehicle, and they left.”

Akers also spoke to the witness, Alton Brookerson, who reported he was driving across the Mansion Mall parking lot when the “Charger came flying across the parking lot almost striking his vehicle.”

Brookerson, Akers said, further reported he had to slam on his brakes to avoid colliding with Spears’ car.

Akers said Brookerson reported seeing a woman hanging out of Spears’ vehicle, and the Charger accelerate and strike the other car.

Like Robinson, Akers said, Brookerson indicated Spears’ female passenger got out, screaming for help.

After Spears got out, “chasing Robinson, making threats to harm him,” Brookerson, who was armed, reportedly told Spears to leave.

Brookerson also indicated Spears screamed for the woman, who got back into his vehicle, and “they sped off toward PP Highway,” Akers said.

A second witness also provided a similar account.

Information regarding the “rolling domestic dispute” was provided to other officers, Akers said.

Patrolman Cody Trout reportedly was familiar with the vehicle and its driver and went to Spring Street, where he found the car parked in the 1600 block, Akers said.

“As Officer Trout approaches (the apartment), he can hear yelling coming from” inside, Akers said. “As he knocks on the door, it goes quiet and no one will answer the door.”

About 10 minutes later, Akers said, the door opened and Spears and the woman, both of whom live in the apartment, stepped out.

Spears was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, driving while revoked, no insurance, leaving the scene of an accident and third-degree domestic assault.

The woman, Akers said, reported she and Spears were “arguing, and she wanted out of the black Charger on the parking lot of Mansion Mall. … She opened the door and jumped out.”

Akers said the woman alleged Spears accelerated and struck the other vehicle.

The woman, he said, reported she screamed for help, but also got back in the car after Spears yelled for her.

When asked why she got back in the vehicle, Akers said, she stated, “‘I was scared if I didn’t what he would do to me.’”

The woman also reported “he wouldn’t let” her open the door when officers arrived, Akers said.

The woman, he said, had scratches on her right wrist, but declined treatment.

Robinson also declined treatment at the scene for right knee pain.