Malden man faces criminal charges in connection with crash

Daniel Wiseman

A 20-year-old Malden, Mo., man faces criminal charges in connection with an automobile accident that occured March 26, 2008 on County Road 115, five miles west of Malden.

According to a report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 1993 Pontiac driven by Daniel T. Wiseman, 20, was being pursued by a Dunklin County deputy when it lost control on the gravel road, ran off the right side of the roadway, and then overturned.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff said that although the full report had not been reviewed, it appeared the reason the deputy was following Wiseman was because of prior unstable driving.

Once the deputy began to follow Wiseman, a pursuit down County Road 115 ensued.

Two others were in the vehicle with Wiseman, who was found to be intoxicated at the scene of the accident.

Sara A. Stokes, 18, of Malden was one of the occupants who was moderately injured as a result of the crash. Another occupant, Ryan A. Lehnig, 20, received minor injuries due to the accident.

Wiseman was also reported to have received minor injuries during the collision.

All of the parties involved were taken to Missouri Southern Hospital in Dexter, Mo., for treatment of their wounds.

As a result of the incident, Wiseman was later charged with three separate felony charges including two Felony C counts of assault in the second degree for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, resulting in injury. Wiseman also received a class D felony charge for resisting or interfering with arrest, as a result of the police pursuit that occured proior to the accident.

Wiseman appeared in court on Tuesday for his intial arraignment before Judge John C. Spielman. A future court date has yet to be set, because prosecutors say that Wiseman had to go into the hospital for treatment that was not detailed at press time.