A Washington man was charged last week for intoxicated driving that led to a fiery crash with multiple serious injuries in August.
According to a court document submitted by the Missouri Highway …
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A Washington man was charged last week for intoxicated driving that led to a fiery crash with multiple serious injuries in August.
According to a court document submitted by the Missouri Highway Patrol, Alexander S. Rutz, 31, was the driver of a 2014 BMW sedan that crashed on Highway 94 west of Church Hill Road around 2 p.m. on Aug. 1. Rutz reportedly failed to negotiate a curve in the road, and the BMW traveled off the right side and struck a tree.
After the impact, the vehicle became engulfed in flames, the highway patrol said. Rutz and two passengers, ages 27 and 25, were pulled from the burning vehicle by bystanders.
A highway patrol officer was notified by emergency responders at the scene that Rutz allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and other signs of intoxication. Rutz allegedly admitted to being under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.
The driver later consented to having blood drawn for analysis, the patrol said, and his blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.18 percent.
Both passengers in the crash were taken to Mercy Hospital Creve Coeur with serious injuries, the highway patrol said.
Rutz now faces a class D felony charge for the DWI. His initial appearance in court was scheduled for Sept. 29.
