Columbia crash results in vehicle fire

Columbia firefighters rush to extinguish a vehicle fire following a crash on South Rapp Avenue. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Fortunately, no injuries were reported following a crash that resulted in a fully engulfed vehicle fire early Saturday evening on South Rapp Avenue at Washington Street in Columbia.

Columbia police and fire department personnel responded at about 5:45 p.m.

Police said a 2008 Lexus RX350 driven by Brandon Wooters, 32, of Columbia, struck an unoccupied parked 1999 Jeep Wrangler, which in turn struck an unoccupied pickup truck. The Lexus then crashed near a wooden fence about 10 feet away from a house.

Wooters exited the vehicle before it burst into flames. Wooters, who was arrested for DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and no insurance, also backed into a parked car on West Liberty Street just minutes prior to the South Rapp Avenue crash.

Firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire before it could spread.

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Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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