Stories regarding Richard Cobb

Published Monday, June 14, 2010 in The Mexico Ledger:
MPSD investigating hit-and-run accident
At approximately 9:32 p.m., Sunday, Mexico Public Safety responded to the 800 block of North Jefferson St. in reference to a traffic crash with one driver leaving the scene.  
Investigation revealed that Richard Cobb, 33, of Mexico, was traveling southbound on North Jefferson on a riding lawnmower, when the lawnmower was struck by a dark colored SUV which was also traveling southbound. The SUV left the scene after the collision.  
Cobb was transported to Audrain Medical Center and later flown to University Hospital for an emergency surgery.  
Anyone with any information concerning this incident is asked to contact Mexico Public Safety at 581-2100 or (573) 473-5800, or to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 392-TIPS or (800) 392-8477.

Published Tuesday, June 15, 2010 in The Mexico Ledger:
Investigation continues on traffic crash
On Sunday, Mexico Public Safety began investigating a traffic crash in the 800 block of N. Jefferson in which an SUV struck a man who was in the roadway on a riding lawnmower.   
MPSD has been able to identify and locate the vehicle, and is continuing to investigate to positively identify the driver and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.  
The man who was on the riding lawnmower, Richard Cobb, age 33 of Mexico, is still at University Hospital in critical condition.

Published Monday, June 21, 2010 in The Mexico Ledger:
Richard John Cobb
Richard John Cobb, 33, of Mexico, died June 16, 2010 in Columbia, Mo. as the result of an accident in Mexico. He was born March 1, 1977 in Waukegan, Ill. to Richard Cobb and Gemma Wheeler. Richard married Marci Nash on May 4, 2010 in Mexico, Mo.
He is survived by his wife of the home; father Richard of 1000 Palms, Calif.; mother and stepfather, James and Gemma Carroll of Arlington, Texas; a son, Matthew Cobb of Rockford, Ill.; a daughter, Ashley Cobb of Lake Zurich, Ill.; two brothers, Jason Cobb of North Richland Hills, Texas and Shawn Hill of Mexico, Mo.; two sisters, Ashley Nash of Homosassa Springs, Fla. and Tori Carroll of Arlington, Texas.
He was preceded in death by a brother Bill Cobb.
A candlelight vigil was held at the accident scene at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2010.
Arrangements by Columbia Cremation Care Center, 4101 S. Providence, Columbia, MO.  573-874-3635.

Published Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in The Mexico Ledger:
Special prosecutor appointed in Cobb case
Autopsy could take 6 to 8 weeks
By WES DUPLANTIER
Ledger Intern
The Monroe County prosecuting attorney will be heading the investigation into the death of Mexico resident Richard Cobb after the Audrain County prosecuting attorney removed himself from the case late last week.
In a press release Friday, Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger said his office had requested the appointment of a special prosecutor and the court appointed Monroe County prosecutor Nicole Volkert to conduct the investigation.
Reached by telephone Friday, Shellabarger said Volkert will handle the case to avoid any impropriety.  
“I wanted to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest,” he said.
Volkert’s office confirmed that she will take over the case, but declined to comment further.
On Wednesday, Audrain County Coroner Pat Farnen said the results of Cobb’s autopsy will take 6 to 8 weeks. Farnen said it is standard for most investigations because several forensic tests have to be performed.
Cobb died June 16 at University Hospital in Columbia, from injuries suffered in a crash on Jefferson Street three days earlier. Police have said Cobb had been riding his lawnmower southbound on Jefferson Street when he was struck by an SUV, which left the scene.
Mexico Public Safety is continuing to investigate the case and has said they have located the vehicle but have not named any suspects.

Published Tuesday, June 29, 2010 in The Mexico Ledger:
Cobb’s family files suit
By WES DUPLANTIER
Ledger Intern
The family of a Mexico man who died after a hit-and-run accident earlier this month filed a wrongful death lawsuit Thursday against the man they believe was responsible.
Richard Cobb, 33, died June 16 at University Hospital in Columbia, three days after he was struck while riding his lawnmower in the 800 block of North Jefferson Street in Mexico.
On Thursday, Cobb’s family filed a lawsuit against Mexico resident Jim Clampitt. The lawsuit alleges that Clampitt was driving the vehicle that struck Cobb and that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
No one, including Clampitt, has been named a suspect or formally charged in the criminal investigation into Cobb’s death. The Mexico Public Safety Department has said it has found the SUV that struck Cobb and that it has linked that vehicle to Clampitt, but has said that it is unclear whether Clampitt was driving at the time of the accident.
MPS Maj. Brice Mesko said the Department is still investigating the crash and that Clampitt remains a “person of interest.” He also said the department had not publicly released any evidence that the driver of the SUV that struck Cobb was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
“Nothing has changed at all from our perspective,” he said. “We are still investigating the crash.”
The plaintiffs’ attorney is St. Louis personal injury lawyer Scott Kolker. At press time, Kolker did not return multiple phone messages from The Ledger seeking comment about why the lawsuit had been filed against Clampitt.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Cobb’s brother, Mexico resident Shawn Hill, said the family has been advised by Kolker not to comment on the lawsuit or the investigation.
“I am not able to comment on anything and I’d have to refer you to the lawyer,” he said.
Clampitt did not return a phone call seeking comment on the lawsuit.