Man now faces murder charge for police pursuit crash that killed Missouri officer

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man is now facing a murder charge for the police chase that led to the death of an officer.

Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, 23, was originally charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention resulting in death after the chase on Aug. 31. Prosecutors on Tuesday added a charge of second-degree murder.

Wehmeyer fled when an Osage Beach officer tried to stop him for speeding on U.S. 54, police said. Another Osage Beach officer, 33-year-old Phylicia Carson, joined the pursuit before skidding off the road into a tree. Her squad car burst into flames. Carson, a mother of six, died from her injuries.

Messages were left Wednesday with Wehmeyer’s attorney.