Man Faces Charges After Striking Body Of Hit-and-Run Victim

A Rolla man faces multiple charges following a series of events that began with a fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 44 on Jan. 18.

Shawn Leach has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and stealing a firearm.

The incident occurred at the 253 overpass when Leach's vehicle struck a body that had fallen onto the roadway from the overpass. The body was that of a Pacific man who was riding a dirt bike and thrown off the overpass. 

Leach’s vehicle subsequently collided with the concrete median barrier, and he fled the scene. A witness who observed the collision followed Leach and alerted authorities, leading to his eventual stop on Highway M near Highway AT in Franklin County.

When officers made contact with Leach, they observed a bag containing a crystal-like substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, in his jacket pocket. 

Through the window of the vehicle, officers also spotted the butt of a rifle protruding between the front passenger seat and the center console.

A search of the vehicle uncovered two firearms: a loaded revolver, later confirmed as stolen by the Rolla Police Department, and a rifle. Leach is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history, which includes multiple prior felony convictions. He is also on probation for a prior possession of a controlled substance charge.