O”FALLON, Mo. (AP) - Authorities were searching for a man charged with second-degree murder in the death of a grandfather following a fight along a Missouri highway that officials say stemmed from a road rage incident.
Court records show a warrant was issued Tuesday for Joshua O’Keefe, 39, of Troy. Authorities believe it was O’Keefe who fought with Ron Lawson, 68, of Winfield, on the side of state Highway 40 near St. Louis. Law enforcement officers called to the scene Sunday morning found the older man unconscious in the cab of his pickup. He later died from his injuries.
Witnessed told police the two men has pulled over on the side the highway, and that O’Keefe ran up and punched Lawson at least twice before placing Lawson back in his truck. Police say O’Keefe then left the scene in a pickup pulling a trailer. Authorities later found the truck abandoned.
Authorities say O’Keefe has a lengthy criminal record dating back 20 years, including a conviction for 2007 robbery for which he served prison time.
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