A 51-year-old Centralia motorcyclist has been charged with reckless homicide following a fatal crash on East McCord Street on Easter Sunday.
Timothy Ramsey of East Quince faces charges for the death of 51-year-old Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Ramsey, a passenger on the motorcycle. According to State Police accident reconstructionists, Ramsey was traveling eastbound at 84 mph when he attempted to pass vehicles and collided with a turning SUV.
Elizabeth Ramsey was pronounced dead at the scene. Timothy Ramsey was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment of his injuries, from which he has since recovered.
A warrant for Ramsey’s arrest was issued on Thursday, and he was taken into custody at his home around 5 p.m. He is scheduled for his first court appearance on Monday, following the closure of the courthouse on Friday.
Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour stated that the reckless homicide charge stemmed from Ramsey’s excessive speed. He credited Detective Mickey Jader and the State Police Reconstruction Team for their extensive work on the investigation, as well as State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth for his efforts in building the case.
The SUV driver, 23-year-old Travor Andershock of St. Peters, Missouri, sustained only minor injuries in the incident.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.