Man Charged In Hit-And-Run That Caused Serious Injuries

A man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that left a jogger severely injured in the early morning hours of April 2, 2023 in Washington.

Jeffrey D. Gardner II has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing physical injury.

According to law enforcement reports, the victim was jogging at approximately 1:45 a.m. along the 1400 block of Jefferson Street, near the south entrance of St. Francis Borgia Cemetery. A northbound vehicle struck the jogger, causing significant injuries, including two broken vertebrae, four broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken toe, and severe bruising. The driver fled the scene, leaving the victim on the roadside.

Surveillance footage from a nearby intersection at Highway 100 and Jefferson Street captured video and audio evidence of the suspect vehicle. Investigators identified the vehicle as a black Dodge Ram truck, a fourth-generation model manufactured between 2009 and 2018, with several distinctive features, including a suspension lift kit, oversized tires, chrome nerf bars, and an aftermarket exhaust system.

Authorities tracked the vehicle to a residence in Franklin County, where they observed visible damage, including scrapes and yellow and white paint transfer on the front bumper. The truck was registered to Gardner, who was not present at the time officers first visited the home.

During questioning, Gardner initially denied involvement in an accident, claiming that he was driving around due to mechanical issues with his truck. However, surveillance footage from a neighbor’s home showed Gardner inspecting his truck’s damaged areas with a flashlight upon returning home shortly after the incident. Additional phone records indicated that Gardner made multiple calls and messages immediately following the collision.

Further investigation revealed that Gardner had been at a friend's residence in Gerald, Missouri, on the evening of April 1 into the early morning of April 2. Phone records also showed communication between Gardner and others shortly after the incident, including an attempt to contact an attorney.

A criminal summons was issued for Gardner on April 1.