Columbia Police arrested James M. Pittard III, 63, of Columbia on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in connection to the Oct. 18 crash involving a vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian in the 3300 block of Paris Road. The vehicle fled the scene after the crash.
During their investigation, officers working on leads discovered Pittard to be a person of interest. While attempting to make contact with Pittard, an officer observed him driving a white Volkswagen Jetta and conducted a traffic stop near the area of Brown Station Road and Starke Avenue.
Pittard was arrested for the following;
- Driving while intoxicated;
- Tampering with physical evidence;
- Obstructing government operation;
- Failure to display lighted lamps on a motor vehicle;
- Failure to comply with ignition interlock requirement; and
- Failure to wear a seatbelt.
Pittard was also arrested for the following in relation to the fatal pedestrian crash on Oct. 18;
- Involuntary manslaughter;
- Leaving the scene of an accident; and
- Tampering with physical evidence.
"This incident resulted in the loss of a life," said Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones. "Thanks to the excellent teamwork of our community’s police officers and investigators, the suspect was identified and located in about 72 hours. This was timely action performed by professionals who truly care about the people of Columbia," Jones said.
Pittard was remanded in the custody of Boone County Jail.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
Case number 2020-010016, 2020-010119
Previous press release(s):
Columbia Police investigate a fatal pedestrian crash in the 3300 block of Paris Road on Oct. 18