On April 21, 2025, Officer Kauffman observed a vehicle traveling on Highway 13 at a high rate of speed. Officer Kauffman’s radar indicated that the vehicle was traveling 95 mph in a 65 mph zone. Officer Kauffman activated his lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated and turned onto Highway B almost hitting three vehicles traveling southbound. The vehicle continued driving down Highway B at a high rate of speed with Officer Kauffman pursuing the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle then passed a vehicle in a non-passing zone then continued driving at a high rate of speed. Officer Kauffman was able to pass the vehicle a short time later at a safer location to continue pursuing the target vehicle. Officer Kauffman lost sight of the target vehicle and could not see the target vehicle ahead so Officer Kauffman knew the vehicle turned off onto one of three gravel roads, which all were dead-end roads. St. Clair County Detectives arrived in the area and helped check the three roads. A St. Clair County Detective spoke with neighbors down NE 175 Road and was advised that a vehicle matching that description drove into a driveway across the street at a high rate of speed and the driver went inside their residence.
Officer Kauffman and the St. Clair County Detective observed the vehicle parked in the driveway. Officer Kauffman recognized the vehicle from the one he was pursuing. Officer Kauffman and a St. Clair County Detective made contact with the subject and were advised by the subject/driver that he ran from Officer Kauffman because he was told by a family member that if he ran from law enforcement and drove over 100 mph law enforcement would stop pursuing and wanted to test the theory out. The driver admitted to driving in upwards of 100 mph on Highway B.
The driver was identified as James Hills out of St. Clair County, Missouri. James was arrested and transported to the St. Clair County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. A felony aggravated fleeing a stop or detention/Valentine Law was sent to prosecuting attorney Daniel Dysart. A warrant was issued today for felony aggravated fleeing detention or stop/Valentine Law with a bond of $20,000.00 cash or surety. A citation was also issued to James for speeding, which will be sent to prosecuting attorney Joshua Jones. We at the Osceola Police Department would like to give a huge thanks to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office for assisting in this case.
