CAMDEN COUNTY, Missouri— Authorities have identified the suspect involved in the high speed chase that left Missouri Police officer Phylicia Carson dead.
Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, 23, is charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle, resulting in death, According to a media release from Camden County Prosecuting Attorney Richelle Grosvenor.
"These charges are based on the Valentine’s Law that went into effect last week. This new law creates the offense of “aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle.”
"If someone knows a law enforcement officer is trying to pull them over and they drive away anyway creating risk of injury, it is at least a class D felony. It increases to a class B felony if someone is hurt and class A felony if someone dies because of the person fleeing."
Wehmeyer is being held in the Camden County Jail without bond.
Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded near the Richland area to assist Osage Beach Police Department - City of Osage Beach, Missouri with a vehicle pursuit.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford Explorer driven by Osage Beach Police Officer 33-year-old Phylicia Carson was southbound on Route A just east of Toronto Springs Park Road.
The SUV crossed the center of the road while in pursuit of a suspect later identified as Wehmeyer and began to skid. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road, struck a tree and caught fire. Officer Carson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Hedges Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton.
The vehicle driven by Wehmeyer also crashed and he was taken into custody, according police.
Officer Carson is survived by her husband and six children. She had been with the city since June 2023, according to Osage Beach Police.
“Grosvenor asked the community for thoughts and prayers as this loss has impacted so many."