Trooper PITs suspected drunk driver after Joplin pursuit
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A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper used a tactical vehicle intervention to end an early Monday morning pursuit south of Joplin, leading to the arrest of a man now accused of another DWI.
James N. Gibbs is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.
A trooper said he saw Gibbs speeding on Range Line and attempted a traffic stop.
Gibbs allegedly continued south past Interstate 44 before turning west onto 44th Street.
The pursuit ended around 12:46 a.m. when the trooper used a TVI, causing the Gibbs’ car to spin and strike a concrete median.
Gibbs was taken into custody without further pursuit.
The trooper reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol and said Gibbs had extremely bloodshot eyes.
Court records cited in the probable cause statement show Gibbs has three previous DWI convictions stemming from arrests in 2014, 2018 and 2020.
The trooper also alleged Gibbs became increasingly combative after his arrest.
At the Jasper County Jail, Gibbs allegedly tried to push through jail staff toward the trooper, struck a holding cell with his fist and made verbal threats.
Gibbs is charged with aggravated DWI and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention.
