Murder charge filed in fatal car crash

A Mokane woman has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred in August 2014.

Lori Conner, 54, is also charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

According to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Conner was driving south on Missouri Route CC, about 3.2 miles south of Route O, when she crossed the center line.

Justin McDonald, 27, of Mokane was driving north on Route CC at the time and swerved his vehicle into the southbound lane in an effort to avoid hitting Conner. At the same moment, Conner also made an effort to correct herself by pulling back into the southbound lane causing the two vehicles to collide near the center of the road.

McDonald was treated for serious injuries.

His passenger - Chad M. Fleischmann, 27, of New Bloomfield - was pronounced dead at the scene.

Conner was treated for serious injuries.

No one involved was wearing a seat belt.

Witnesses told patrolmen that Conner was driving in an erratic fashion prior to the crash. She was described as speeding, weaving from one side of the road to the other and passing in unsafe locations.

At the time of the accident, Conner was arrested for DWI.

A check of court records found Conner has previously been convicted of DWI. She has also previously pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, third-degree assault and resisting arrest, all occurring in Callaway County.