Thayer man charged with involuntary manslaughter after car accident

A man from Thayer, Missouri is facing charges following a deadly car accident on December 1, 2024. According to court records available online, Robert Marvin Powell, born in 1970, is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, driving while under the influence resulting in death of another person, failure to maintain proper lane usage, and a second offense of driving without insurance. The incident took place on Missouri 142, east of Route EE in Oregon County. Following the crash, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D arrived on the scene where they encountered Powell. Troopers noted signs of intoxication from Powell's breath and appearance. After refusing a field sobriety test, Powell was arrested for driving drunk. The patrol report states that Powell, operating a Ram vehicle, veered across the road, resulting in a collision with multiple signs before overturning. Tragically, a passenger in the vehicle lost their life in the accident. Evidence from the vehicle's Event Data Recorder revealed that Powell was traveling at around 83 miles per hour during the incident. A criminal summons has been issued, and Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, October 1.