At 9:39 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 3, Clinton Police Officers were dispatched to the east side of the Clinton Square in regard to a traffic accident that involved a pedestrian.  Upon arrival, police found the victim, 20-year-old Tyler Lane Frerking of Smithville, Missouri lying on the pavement.

According to witnesses at the scene, Frerking had fallen off the closed trunk lid of a moving vehicle being driven by 18-year-old Olen L. Stephens of Warrensburg, Mo.  Frerking and another individual, Chance W. Joyner also of Warrensburg, were riding on the trunk of the Stephens' vehicle, a black 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.  Behind the Stephens' vehicle was a motorcycle being operated by 19-year-old Stephen R. Humphreys of Clinton.

Stephens reportedly told Frerking and Joyner to jump off of his vehicle so he could "brake check" the motorcycle behind him.  Joyner jumped off the vehicle but Frerking did not.  Stephens then accelerated rapidly and Frerking was ejected from the top of the trunk lid.  He apparently struck his head on the pavement.  Stephens initially left the scene of the accident but said he returned when he saw police arrive in the area.  He stated that he left because he was in fear of being assaulted by people present on the east side of the square.

Stephens and all witnesses were interviewed at the police department.  Stephens' vehicle was seized as evidence and Stephens was placed under arrest for 24-hour investigation of assault in the second degree by recklessly causing serious injury to another person.  Stephens was incarcerated in the Henry County Detention Center.  He was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

The case is being reviewed by Henry County Prosecutor Richard Shields so that a warrant can be issued for Mr. Stephens. Frerking remains in critical condition with a severe head injury at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.  Incidentally, Mr. Stephens was cited by Clinton Police the night before this incident on the Clinton Square for excessive acceleration.

This statement provided by the Clinton Police Department.

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