Cape Girardeau man arrested after hit-and-run crash seriously injures worker on I-55

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A Cape Girardeau man faces multiple felony charges after police say he struck a worker in a construction zone on Interstate 55, fled the scene and later struggled with officers attempting to arrest him.

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, officers responded to a crash in the 1200 block of Marquette Street around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Police said the victim was operating a dump truck near mile marker 102 in the northbound lanes of I-55 when he exited the truck to remove remaining asphalt from the bed. The worker was struck by a northbound vehicle and suffered serious injuries.

Investigators recovered vehicle parts at the scene, including a side mirror believed to belong to a black Hyundai.

With assistance from the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office, deputies located a black Hyundai at Rhodes in Fruitland. The vehicle was missing a side mirror and had extensive damage to the driver’s side.

Police identified the suspected driver as Reynaldo Gozhileza-Gomez, 29, of Cape Girardeau. Investigators said Gozhileza-Gomez parked the vehicle at Rhodes shortly after the crash before he and a passenger were picked up by another vehicle.

Using Flock license plate recognition cameras, officers located the second vehicle in the 3000 block of Themis Street.

Police said officers spotted Gozhileza-Gomez inside a residence and approached him at the front door. When instructed to turn around, Gozhileza-Gomez allegedly resisted arrest.

During the struggle, an officer attempted to use a Taser to gain compliance. Police said Gozhileza-Gomez grabbed the officer’s Taser, disarmed him and fired a cartridge, briefly shocking both officers.

A second officer deployed a Taser, striking Gozhileza-Gomez in the upper torso. After several more minutes of struggling, officers were able to place him in handcuffs.

Both officers suffered minor cuts and abrasions during the altercation.

Gozhileza-Gomez was taken to the Cape Girardeau Police Department and charged through the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with disarming a peace officer, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting arrest.

He is being held without bond.

The victim was treated for serious injuries. Police did not provide an update on his condition.

Anyone with information can contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 573-335-6621 or submit an anonymous tip at 573-339-6313.

All charges are allegations. Gozhileza-Gomez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.