December crash leads to charges filed

Gage Russell McGowan, 19, of Graff, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing physical injury, a felony, and driving without a license, a misdemeanor. Charges stem from a Dec. 29, 2024, injury crash on County Road 382, east of Highway 181.

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper R. Wylie, the officer responded to a crash at about 3 p.m. that afternoon. 

“While on scene, I observed [that] two vehicles had crashed in a curve,” says Wylie’s report. “While speaking to the drivers of one of the vehicles, they stated that a subject had left the scene. They identified the subject as Gage McGowan and stated that he lived near the area of the crash scene.”

Wylie said that during his crash investigation he observed “an obvious injury to [the victim’s] head due to a large spot of blood on his forehead. The victim stated he had sustained the injury during the crash. The other victim involved, from the same vehicle, had an obvious limp from an injury sustained during the crash.”

Both victims were taken to Ozark Healthcare hospital in West Plains by private vehicle.

Wylie reported that after he had conducted his crash investigation, he and Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin went to McGowan’s residence and spoke with McGowan.

“McGowan admitted to driving at the time of the crash,” says Wylie’s report. “Sheriff Martin asked McGowan if he had attempted to contact emergency services in reference to the crash. McGowan stated he had not.”

McGowan was arrested and a computer search by Wylie revealed that McGowan did not possess a valid driver’s license. McGowan was transported to the Ozark County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. 

McGowan was scheduled to appear Tuesday in Ozark County Associate Court before Judge Raymond Gross. Results of the hearing were unavailable at press time.