HERMITAGE, Mo. -- A man was charged on Friday with leaving the scene of an accident after his mother was found dead along a highway on Thursday night. Lonnie Hogsett, 45, of Wheatland could face a prison sentence up to four years if he's convicted.
The Hickory County Sheriff's Department is still investigating the death of Joletta Hogsett, 64, who either jumped or was pushed from a moving pickup near Weaubleau. Law enforcement officers arrested Lonnie Hogsett at a bar in Humansville.
Sheriff Ray Tipton says a citizen called his office about finding Hogsett's body about 7:30 p.m., Thursday. It was on the shoulder of U.S. 54 east of Weaubleau.
Tipton says Lonnie and Joletta Hogsett recently moved from Nebraska to Wheatland, where they lived together. He says his office received a call from Lonnie's ex-husband, who said his son came to his home about 7:30 p.m. and said, "Mom jumped out of the truck while going 60 mph."
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Humansville police chief joined the investigation after the discovery of the body. Tipton says they found out Lonnie Hogsett was at a bar in Humansville about 9:45 p.m., and told someone that his mother was dead, after she jumped out of the truck at 60 mph. They arrested Hogsett at the bar."I got him back here and I said, 'what happened?' And he told me the story," recalled Maurice Jones, owner of Rock Ridge Saloon and Aussie Bar. "He told me he went back to pick her up but couldnt find her, then probably panicked and nervous or just lost where he was."
At least two people at the bar called authorites, who arrived within minutes.
"Had twenty cops cars come in all the lights flashing and carrying on," Jones said.
Lonnie Hogsett remains in the Hickory County Jail on a $10,000 dollars bond.
Prosecutors say they're not sure if they'll file additional charges in the case.
