ST. LOUIS – A man appeared in St. Louis Circuit Court on Wednesday to face charges for allegedly cutting across oncoming traffic in his vehicle and jumping a curb in order to strike a pedestrian.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, the incident occurred on August 19 in the 5900 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, located in the city’s Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.
Police said Cornell Sparks Jr., 44, was caught on surveillance video cutting across an opposite lane of traffic and driving onto the sidewalk, attempting to run over the victim.
The victim, who was over the age of 60, suffered a fractured back, resulting in an inability to walk, as well as brain bleeding and lung injuries. The victim was placed on a ventilator to assist with breathing and was put on life support. As of Tuesday, police said the victim is no longer on life support.
Police said Sparks left the scene of the accident, and a search warrant was issued for his home address.
Officers found a shotgun inside Sparks’ home following prior felony convictions of unlawfully owning the firearm. Police said Sparks admitted to keeping the shotgun.
Prosecutors with the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Sparks with first-degree assault or attempt, armed criminal action, leaving the scene of the accident, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Sparks was jailed without bond. He’s due back in court on September 9 for a detention hearing.
