Ozark County man charged in hit-and-run death of teen
Published 5:26 pm Friday, October 30, 2026
An Ozark County man faces four felony and two misdemeanor charges in connection with the hit-and-run death of an 18-year-old found early Monday along Highway 181 near Gainesville.
Ransom D. Uchtman, 26, Wasola, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, second-degree involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, abandonment of a corpse, and two counts of careless and imprudent driving resulting in an accident.
Uchtman was arrested Wednesday and is held without bond. Court records show he is represented by Springfield attorney Joseph Passanise and entered a not-guilty plea after waiving formal arraignment. He is scheduled to appear before Associate 44th Circuit Judge Raymond Gross on Wednesday for a bond reduction hearing.
According to court documents, Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol at about 6 a.m. Monday after the body of 18-year-old Zachariah Morris was found in a ditch off the west side of Highway 181, just north of U.S. 160.
Patrol Cpl. D.L. Nash reported discovering white paint chips along the same side of the road, noting physical evidence indicated Morris was struck by a northbound vehicle.
During the initial scene investigation, Nash learned a white Jeep Wrangler had been abandoned in the yard of a vacant house off a county road about eight-tenths of a mile from the fatality. He also documented a second crash scene located down the road from where the Jeep was left.
An inspection of the Jeep revealed creases and paint damage on the hood consistent with the paint chips collected at the scene, along with a blue-colored smear on the front bumper matching denim transfer from the victim’s jeans. Blood spatter across the hood and roof indicated a pedestrian was struck and thrown into the windshield and over the top of the vehicle, Nash reported.
Nash said he later learned Uchtman had been assisted by someone at the scene of the second crash who helped him bandage injuries. The witness stated Uchtman’s mother arrived soon after to help move the Jeep from the road, and he left with his mother.
Nash later found Uchtman at his mother’s home. During an interview, Uchtman told Nash he could not remember anything after 7 p.m. Sunday, stating he had eaten food and consumed one beer at the Antler Package and Restaurant in Gainesville.
Further investigation by Sheriff Martin revealed Uchtman purchased a “sleeve” of Fireball cinnamon whisky shooters — typically a multi-pack of 10 to 12 miniature bottles — and visited an acquaintance’s home until about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
Nash reviewed video footage recorded near the intersection of Highway 181 and High School Drive, roughly 1,000 feet from the crash scene. The video, timestamped at 11:38 p.m. Sunday, showed a white Jeep speeding northbound on Highway 181, nearly failing to navigate the curve in the road.
Although the vehicle moved out of the camera’s frame, the recording captured the audible screech of tires originating from the area where Morris was hit. Passersby discovered the teen’s body around 5 a.m. Monday.
