A Licking man who was charged last year with causing the June 2014 death of a woman during a motorcycle poker run no longer faces charges in the incident.
Mark D. Griffith, 52, was arrested Aug. 31 and faced felony charges of involuntary manslaughter (vehicular – intoxicated) and driving while revoked. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in April 2015, and he was apprehended by a Licking police officer after a tip came in that he would be traveling through that department’s jurisdiction.
Nancy E. James, 44, of Licking, was killed in the wreck near Highways 137 and P. Authorities originally said a northbound 1978 Harley Davidson operated by Griffith overtook several vehicles and rear-ended a Jeep. The bike reportedly overturned, throwing off Griffith and James.
Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Parke Stevens Jr. said Thursday that upon further investigation and witness statements, the manslaughter charge was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Stevens said eyewitnesses testified that another motorcycle struck Griffith’s bike, causing him to lose control of it resulting in the crash.
Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators said while Griffith was lying on the roadway after the impact, he was run over by another motorcycle and was subsequently flown by helicopter to a hospital in Springfield.