An Illinois man is facing felony charges stemming from an incident Oct. 31 in Wright City, according to online court records.
James Rippy, of Granite City, Illinois, was charged Nov. 1 with third-degree assault of a special victim and leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage exceeding $1,000.
Police were dispatched to the area of 223 N. Service Rd. that day in response to a report of a driver who had attempted to overtake another vehicle but failed to do so, striking another vehicle in the process.
Damage to the vehicle that was struck was estimated to have exceeded $1,000, according to a probable cause statement. Both the driver that the suspect tried to overtake and the driver of the vehicle that was struck said the suspect, later identified as Rippy, had made a U-turn following the collision, then abandoned his vehicle nearby and fled on foot.
Police located Rippy’s vehicle disabled approximately 200 yards from the crash location, and located Rippy shortly afterward. “Rippy was mirandized and stated he fled the scene of the accident because he was drunk,” according to the statement.
Rippy’s driver’s license was found to be revoked, with past convictions for driving while revoked and driving while intoxicated. He was transported to the Warren County Jail, then to a medical facility, then back to the jail.
During this time, Rippy allegedly kicked the arresting officer with steel-toed boots, as well as making numerous threats toward law enforcement, correctional staff and hospital staff.
“During all conveyances between locations, Rippy slammed his head into the prisoner partition while screaming racial slurs despite being secured with handcuffs behind his back and a lap/shoulder belt,” according to the probable cause statement.
Rippy, born in 1971, is being held at the Warren County Jail with his bond set at $20,000 cash only.
