A Hollister man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an Ozark County crash caused serious injuries to a passenger riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
David J. Frazier, 51, is charged with felony driving while intoxicated resulting in serious injury. He also faces misdemeanor charges of driving while revoked or suspended, and careless and imprudent driving resulting in an accident.
According to Sgt. L.S. Elliot with Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Willow Springs, the crash happened at 1:35 p.m. Monday on H Highway, 17 miles northeast of Gainesville, when a northbound 2012 Chevrolet Silverado ran off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole.
A probable cause statement submitted by Elliot to prosecutors describes the crash site as just north of Patrick Bridge. The investigation reportedly concluded the vehicle ran off the right side of the road and then the left before sideswiping the utility pole.
Two women, a 25-year-old from Mtn. Home, Ark., and a 45-year-old from Ozark, were riding in the bed of the pickup truck. The younger woman was thrown from the vehicle when it first went off the right side of the road and was reportedly not injured. However, when it struck the utility pole on the opposite side, the older passenger was partially ejected and her head struck the pole, according to court records.
The injured passenger was airlifted to Cox South Medical Center in Springfield for treatment. Frazier suffered minor injuries, according to the crash report.
Elliot reported that Frazier appeared extremely intoxicated at the scene, and failed field sobriety tests before taking a preliminary breath test. That test reportedly indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.315% — approaching four times the state’s legal limit of 0.08%.
A records check revealed Frazier’s license was suspended due to a prior alcohol-related offense. Court records show a misdemeanor DWI case was filed against him in February 2025 in Taney County, and a driving while revoked charge was filed in May in Christian County.
Frazier is held in the Ozark County Jail on a no-bond warrant, court records show. He appeared for his initial arraignment Wednesday morning before Associate 44th Circuit Judge Raymond Gross. After entering a not-guilty plea, Frazier was referred to the public defender’s office. However, as of Friday afternoon, the court docket showed correspondence denying the service due to an incomplete application.
Frazier is schedule to appear next on July 28 for a bond reduction hearing. The case is being prosecuted by Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Curtis Pipkins.
