Emergency personnel responded shortly before 6:15 p.m. Dec. 16 to what was initially believed to be a one-vehicle rollover on Route 159 at Roscow Road just south of Hecker.

Hecker firefighters safely removed two occupants from the overturned pickup truck using extrication tools.

On Thursday, a hit-and-run charge was filed in Monroe County Circuit Court against DeMarquel T. Patterson, 32, of St. Louis.

Court information alleges Patterson knowingly left the scene of the crash “after having caused the vehicle… to leave the roadway and overturn.”

The filing also indicates two occupants of the vehicle were injured as a result of the incident, making the charge a Class 4 felony.

The extent of injuries is not yet known, but two ambulances responded to the scene to treat the occupants of the vehicle, Vernon Smith and Debbie Smith.

Both were conscious and alert following the crash, per fire officials.