Nixa Man Charged After Motorcycle Crash Results in Death of Passenger

A man is in jail after a motorcycle crash earlier this week near Reeds Spring.

According to the arrest report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 53-year-old Randy Buchanan of Nixa is charged with a Felony count of Driving While Intoxicated Involving the Death of Another. 

The original report from the patrol indicates the crash occurred on Highway 160 north of Reeds Spring when the motorcycle driven Buchanan failed to negotiate a curve on a roundabout hitting a curb and overturning. Buchanan was not reported as injured however a 51-year-old woman from Nixa who was a passenger on the motorcycle was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield in critical condition where she later died.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the patrol, the officer working the scene noticed the scent of alcohol and marijuana and Buchanan admitted to consumption. Further investigation showed that Buchanan was not licensed to operate a motorcycle.

Buchanan is currently being held in the Stone County Jail in Galena on a $500,000 Bond.