AURORA, Mo. — A 74-year-old man died after a police pursuit Friday night, according to southwest Missouri authorities.
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According to a press release from the Aurora and Marionville Police Department, officers responded to a business on Olive Street in Aurora on Friday (10/18) due to reports of an intoxicated man who was threatening to “skin” customers.
The man was later identified as Gary Bowman, 74, who left before officers arrived. While they were still at the business, Bowman returned to the scene. Police say Bowman was known to officers for “prior incidents involving intoxicated and violent behavior.”
Police say they tried to contact Bowman when he left in his vehicle. Officers say a pursuit followed, with Bowman driving erratically. Bowman continued north on Highway K at a high rate of speed. Police also said that he failed to maintain his lane of travel.
Three miles north of Aurora, police say Bowman’s vehicle left the road and struck a tree. Officers had difficulty removing him from the wreckage, but eventually succeeded. Officers say they performed CPR until emergency medical personnel got there.
Bowman was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The incident remains under investigation, according to Police Chief Wes Coatney.
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