From Sheriff Matt Roberts:
On the evening of January 5, 2026, Howell County Deputies were in the Southfork area assisting the Missouri State Highway Patrol with a traffic accident and a related vehicle pursuit.
During that time, Deputy Kory Taylor observed two vehicles traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 160 at speeds estimated between 85 and 90 miles per hour in a posted 45 mile-per-hour zone. Deputy Taylor turned around and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. After activating his emergency lights and siren, both vehicles failed to stop.
One of the vehicles continued eastbound on U.S. Highway 160, while the second vehicle turned onto County Road 7140 and fled. Deputy Taylor pursued the vehicle on County Road 7140. While attempting to cross a low-water slab during the pursuit, Deputy Taylor lost control of his patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle entered a ditch and struck multiple trees before coming to rest. The fleeing vehicle continued and was not immediately located.
Deputy Taylor was not seriously injured in the crash. The patrol vehicle he was operating sustained significant damage.
Deputy Taylor was able to obtain descriptions and license plate numbers for both fleeing vehicles. After confirming Deputy Taylor was not seriously injured, additional deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate either vehicle at that time. Deputies later made contact with one individual believed to have been operating the vehicle that continued on U.S. Highway 160. Contact was also made by telephone with the registered owner of the vehicle that fled on County Road 7140. That individual denied fleeing from law enforcement and stated the vehicle had been sold the previous day.
On January 6, 2026, deputies located and recovered the vehicle that fled on County Road 7140. The vehicle had been abandoned on private property in the vicinity of the pursuit, and the license plates had been removed. The vehicle was processed for evidence and impounded pending the outcome of the investigation.
Howell County Deputies have had multiple recent contacts involving both subjects connected to this incident. These juvenile males have been involved in repeated incidents of reckless driving, property damage, and fleeing from law enforcement. Multiple attempts have been made to locate and interview one of the involved individuals, who has refused to cooperate or disclose his location. Criminal charges related to this incident will be forwarded to the 37th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Division.
Deputy Taylor continues to be one of the Howell County Sheriff’s Office’s most proactive deputies. He is consistently active in traffic enforcement and criminal interdiction efforts and routinely makes drug seizures and arrests that remove illegal substances and offenders from our community. I am thankful he was not seriously injured and proud of the work he continues to do in service to Howell County.
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