Maywood man facing domestic assault charges after trying to run car off road in Lewis County

LaGRANGE, Mo. — A Maywood man was arrested Saturday and charged with attempting to run a vehicle off the road.

A press release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department says it received a report that David L. Baker, 44, had attempted to strike a victim’s vehicle with his own truck while the victim was driving on State Highway C near State Highway BB at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. According to the victim, Baker drove his truck into the ditch while passing the victim, swerved all over the road and tried to run the victim off the road.

Deputies with the sheriff’s department found Baker in LaGrange on Sept. 28 and took him into custody.

A probable cause statement filed by Deputy Jason Slater with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department said the victim was driving west on State Highway C when Baker followed her. A passenger also was in the vehicle.

Dispatchers could hear tire screeching sounds while speaking with the victim on the phone. She reported Baker passed her near the Fabius River Bridge, and she pulled off the road to avoid him. She then said Baker turned around and attempted to hit her vehicle head-on. She avoided his vehicle and began driving west again, and she reported Baker continuously attempted to run her off the road by swerving from lane to lane.

Lewis County Prosecutor Chelsea Fellinger filed a felony complaint on Sept. 28 charging Baker with the Class E felony of domestic assault in the third degree, alleging he attempted to cause physical injury to the victim by trying to run the vehicle off the road and attempting to hit the vehicle head-on. Baker also was charged with the class E felony of driving without a valid license. The press release noted Baker has two prior convictions for driving without a valid license and is currently under the supervision of the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole.

If convicted by a jury, Baker could be sentenced to as many as four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections or one year in jail. 

Baker was lodged in the Lewis County Jail. He first appeared before Judge Corey Moon in Lewis County Circuit Court on Monday. He was given a $10,000 cash-only bond and now is under house arrest at his aunt and uncle’s home in Maywood.