Springfield woman charged with involuntary manslaughter after DWI crash

A Springfield woman has been charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter related to a fatal crash that happened in December.

Melissa R. Mahan, 37, had a high blood alcohol content after she struck a vehicle operated by Leslee Owrey on the night of Dec. 5, according to a news release from the Greene County Prosecutor's Office.

Mahan was driving on U.S. 60, west of the Scenic overpass, at a high speed when she collided with Owrey's car from behind, according to charging documents.

Owrey's car veered off the road and overturned, according to a probable cause statement. Owrey was ejected from her vehicle and died as a result of her injuries.

The statement said law enforcement noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Mahan. Mahan slurred her speech and her eyes were bloodshot and glassy, the statement said.

Mahan told law enforcement she had three "really good shots of wine."

She refused to perform field sobriety tests or take a breathalyzer test, according to the statement.

A test of Mahan's blood after the crash indicated she had a blood alcohol concentration of .295 percent, the release said.

The legal blood alcohol limit in Missouri is 0.08 percent.

The investigation of this incident lasted several weeks and included a full crash reconstruction, according to the release.

Mahan has two prior municipal convictions for driving while intoxicated, according to the prosecutor's bail and bond recommendation.

The prosecutor is asking for Mahan's bond to be set at $15,000.