Kirksville Woman in Custody After Vehicle Pursuit 

KIRKSVILLE, Mo.- On Friday, October 28, just after 9 pm, a Kirksville Police Sergeant was conducting traffic observation near Illinois Street and US Hwy 63 when he observed a green Ford F150 turn northbound onto US Hwy 63. The sergeant observed the truck veering into the southbound lane of US Hwy 63 and then stopped in the roadway. The sergeant stopped and attempted to contact the driver, who fled north in the vehicle. The sergeant noted there were sparks and flames coming from the wheels of the truck. The sergeant continued behind the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens. Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department were notified of the truck as it continued northbound. While attempting to stop the truck, officers were advised it had been reported stolen.  

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department deployed spike strips on the truck in Greentop and the truck ran off the roadway, stopping near US Hwy 63 and Hwy J. The driver, Jeanne Sumerix, was found to be the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not injured. Sumerix, 26, of Kirksville, has been charged in Adair County Court with Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree and Resisting Arrest/Lawful Stop. Sumerix is currently being held at the Adair County Detention Facility. 

The Kirksville Police Department would like to thank the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, Adair County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Schuyler County Rural Fire & Ambulance for their assistance in this incident. 

Anyone with information regarding this press release or any suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at 660.785.6945, Central Dispatch at 660.665.5621, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 660.665.4600 or anonymously at 660.627.BUST (2878) or email [email protected].   

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.