A Cabool resident faces multiple felony charges after allegedly using his truck to intentionally ram and sideswipe a vehicle occupied by two people.
John R. Collins, 57, is charged with first-degree domestic assault, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in Howell County. He was arrested and released on a $15,000 bond, and is scheduled for arraignment on May 4, court records show.
The incident was investigated by the West Plains Police Department on April 14. Two people reported Collins followed them in a black Chevrolet Colorado and made threats of violence, including statements about running their vehicle off the roadway, if they did not pull over.
The victims stated that while traveling on the highway, Collins intentionally rammed the rear of their vehicle, causing the driver — who was in a past romantic relationship with Collins — to strike her face on the steering wheel. Collins then allegedly pulled alongside and sideswiped the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and swerve. Police documented damage to the rear bumper and passenger side of the victims’ rental vehicle consistent with those accounts.
According to the report, Collins sent multiple text messages to the victim immediately after law enforcement tried to contact him, including one using a derogatory slur.
Collins later reported his vehicle stolen to the Cabool Police Department, West Plains police reported, noting his statements were inconsistent and contradicted by physical evidence and his own admissions during an interview.
Collins also reportedly provided an alibi that he had been fishing in Arkansas with an acquaintance at the time of the incident. The acquaintance provided conflicting timelines for the trip, initially stating they left at 1 p.m. before changing the time to 7 p.m., police said.
