Oxly,MO: Damian A. Winters, 14, killed after crashed by man on Sunday ,.September 6th 2015

An O'Fallon, Mo. man is charged with involuntary manslaughter after a 14-year-old boy died in a crash with a 9-year-old behind the wheel.

Mitchell Morris, 37, is charged with involuntary manslaughter (first degree) and endangering the welfare of a child (first degree).

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that Damian A. Winters, 14, of Oxly, Mo. died after the vehicle he was riding in ran off the road and overturned around 3:50 p.m. on Sept. 6.

It happened on County Road T3 about one mile north of Oxly.

A 9-year-old boy was behind the wheel of a 2000 Ford Expedition when it hit an embankment and overturned, ejecting everyone inside.

Winters was pronounced dead at the scene.

Morris went to a Doniphan hospital with moderate injuries. He was later arrested and charged.

The 9-year-old boy had minor to no injuries.

No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

The MSHP confirms the boys are step-brothers. It is not clear what Morris' relationship is to the two.

Some residents in the community can't believe a 9-year-old was behind the wheel.

"I feel like the man should be charged for letting a nine year old drive a car. A nine year old shouldn't be driving a car," Samantha Barton.

Christopher Berk agrees with her, saying there was no excuse for this to happen.

"I just don't think it should have been right for that nine year old to be driving, period," Berk said. "Who drives at 9 years old? Only on the farm lands is when you need to, on your mom and dads lap, you don't need to be driving on the main highways."

Morris was due in court on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. at the Ripley County Courthouse.


Source:
Man charged with manslaughter after teen killed in crash involving 9-year-old driver