Charges filed against driver for crash that killed deputy and wife

A man from Webb City, identified as 40-year-old Garrett Cleaver, is facing charges in the tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of Christian County Deputy Sheriff Mike Adams and his wife, Ashley, near Highlandville on Monday, June 30. Cleaver has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, as well as multiple charges related to fleeing from law enforcement resulting in fatal and injury incidents, and assault. Court records highlight Cleaver's prior criminal record in Kansas and Missouri, including convictions for vehicular homicide and resisting arrest. The incident took place when a Christian County deputy attempted to stop a Ford F-150 truck allegedly driven by Cleaver, which was observed leaving a known drug house. The pursuit led to a high-speed chase that tragically ended in a collision with a Honda minivan carrying Deputy Adams and his wife. The couple lost their lives at the scene, while an infant in the minivan sustained serious head injuries. Sheriff Brad Cole lamented the senseless loss, emphasizing the commitment to seeking justice for the Adams family through a thorough investigation. He noted that Cleaver's criminal past in multiple states underscores a failure in the justice system to prevent dangerous individuals from endangering innocent lives.