Latest news with #Quarles
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Missouri man seeking justice after assault by gang of motorcyclists
WEBB CITY, Mo. — A group of aggressive motorcycle riders puts a Webb City couple through an experience they say they'll never forget. 'I didn't think it would go that far, but it did,' said Webb City resident and business owner, Terry Quarles. What started as a quiet evening for Terry Quarles, quickly became something he and his girlfriend, Kristy will never forget. 'It was traumatizing, it was terrifying, just an absolute nightmare,' said Kristy Winter. On October 25, 2024, the couple was driving home from dinner, when they found themselves surrounded by 15-to-20 motorcycles driving erratically on North Range Line Road. 'They were riding wheelies and going through lights,' said Winter. 'I rolled my window down and told them, 'You need to straighten your driving up. It's ridiculous,' said Quarles. 'There were some words exchanged about, they need to calm their driving down and it went downhill from there very quickly,' said Winter. That's when the group of riders began to target the couple, and the truck Terry was driving. Fearing for their safety and the possibility of a collision, Kristy began recording the incident. It was also captured on one of the motorcyclist's helmet-cam and was later posted on social media. 'The further we got into Webb City, the closer they started getting to us. They surrounded us on both sides of the truck,' said Winter. 'They started throwing things at the truck, kicking the mirrors and smacking the mirrors, kicking the taillights, the headlights, the fenders, the doors,' said Quarles. 'That's when I told him, 'I'm calling the cops,' said Winter. While Kristy was on the phone with 911, the bikers turned into the parking lot of Whataburger in Webb City. Knowing there was damage to his vehicle, Terry pulled in right behind them. 'After beating on a vehicle, you know, you're thinking, 'I'm at least going to have a talk with these boys,' you know, and it went south quick. As soon as I stepped out, I knew I was in trouble,' said Quarles. 'Five or six of them jumped me and were kicking me. Broke two ribs, a concussion, both black eyes,' said Quarles. Meanwhile, Kristy was still on the phone with 9-1-1. 'I'm like, 'he's out of the truck,' then I'm like, 'they have him down on the ground and they're beating him,' and she goes, 'where?' and I said, 'Webb City Whataburger,' said Winter. 'I hung up and then I turned the camera on, thinking, 'okay, now I want to record who these people are in case charges can be filed against them,' said Winter. Seconds before officers arrived, the bikers were gone, leaving behind a parking lot littered with pieces of Terry's truck and blood from the attack. But the group of riders also left a digital trail of their alleged crimes. 'Between everybody, friends and family, we pulled up all this stuff on Facebook, because it was on Facebook. It was on their Facebook,' said Quarles. Terry says the videos helped his family identify at least two of those involved. Similar videos have also been posted on social media, showing large groups of motorcycles blocking intersections and wreaking havoc on Joplin roads. In Terry's case, that video evidence was then handed over to the Webb City Police Department. Months after the assault, investigators sent the case to the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office. 'It's been going on seven months now, and the prosecuting attorney in Joplin hasn't done a thing,' said Quarles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Community activists in Greenville call for the city's police chief's resignation
Several Greenville community activists have called for the resignation of the city's police chief. During a press conference outside the Greenville City Public Safety Complex on April 18, Derrick Quarles, Bruce Wilson, and Paul Guy questioned how officers under internal investigation are allowed to quit and move to another agency, potentially creating future public safety issues. They also cited a lack of diversity within the department. In calling for Greenville Police Chief Howie Thompson's job, Quarles, who ran for Greenville County Council District 25 in 2024, said the chief isn't who the city needs to lead the department. "People call me from this agency all the time. They're sick and tired. Chief Thompson has got to resign," Quarles said. "He is not leading this agency effectively." Thompson declined to comment on the demand that he step aside or questions about officer resignations and the department's diversity. According to documents that show why officers left the department, at least four Greenville police officers resigned in 2022 while under an internal investigation. Those same officers joined other law enforcement agencies and received recommendations from police department officials. "This practice hides misconduct. It protects the careers of these officers, and it leaves our community exposed. It's not just negligence. This is unethical, and it's really dangerous," Quarles said. Quarles said it's an accountability issue and not an anti-police issue. "Time and time again, when an officer violates policy and breaks the law, they should not be allowed to resign and continue to work in law enforcement. They should be held accountable, just like any of us are," Quarles said. According to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, if an officer remains at the department during the internal investigation and is found guilty, the police agency must report the officer to the Justice Academy. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council in Columbia would then judge the officer's case. More: Looking for an Easter egg hunt for the kids? Check out this list from Upstate communities If the Law Enforcement Council votes the officer guilty, the officer can no longer return to law enforcement. Wilson, another community activist who spoke during the press conference, said that officers who are allowed to do wrong will continue to do so if they are not reprimanded. "It creates an unsafe neighborhood for all of us," he said. The group also said the Greenville Police Department needs to do better in terms of having a diverse police force. In 2021, data obtained by The Greenville News through the Freedom of Information Act and the latest data available, the department was 87.5% white, 7.2% Black, 3.8% Hispanic, and 1.4% Asian, American Indian or native Alaskan. The city's population is about 20.5% Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Wilson said if law enforcement wants a good relationship with the community, its staff must mirror the people they protect. "Having an individual that looks like you, having an individual that you can have a dialogue with, it is beneficial. It's helpful," Wilson said. He further criticized the police department and said they're not making an effort to consider Black job candidates. "We're not saying that you should hire just anybody because they're African American or Black," Wilson said. "You hire people that are qualified. What we're saying the problem is you're not even looking, you're not even trying, you're not making the attempt. There are a host of people that look like me, that are qualified." This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville activists criticize city's police; call for chief to quit
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest driver accused of race that caused serious bodily injury in Evansville
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Evansville Police arrested a man accused of causing an accident with injuries during a street race on Riverside Drive back in October. According to an affidavit, James Ramos, 23, admitted to racing another vehicle on October 12, 2024. Ramos reportedly told the authorities that the driver of the other car cut him off, forcing him to swerve out of the way and strike the curb, rendering his vehicle immobile. Second person arrested in street racing accident After this, police say three other vehicles – a gray Dodge Charger driven by Taron Coats, a maroon Dodge Charger driven by Lorenzo McRath, and a white Camaro driven by Raveion Quarles – had also begun racing down North Fulton Drive and turning onto Riverside Drive. Video surveillance reviewed by authorities showed the gray Charger crashing into Ramos' vehicle and landing upside down. Quarles attempted to avoid striking the vehicle, however police say Quarles struck Jumani Williams, who was attempting to push Ramos' vehicle out of the way. All drivers were transported to a nearby hospital for blood draws. Police say Coats had a blood alcohol content of 0.176 g/100mL; McRath had 0.123 g/100mL; Quarles had 0.049 g/100mL; and Ramos had 0.097 g/100mL. Police say Williams suffered fractures to his right femur, left arm, shoulders, hips and his upper spine. He also reported multiple facial fractures, and said his left eye was knocked out of the socket. He reported having to relearn how to walk and talk and undergoing extensive physical therapy. Ramos was arrested on Thursday and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, criminal recklessness, aggressive driving and driving at unreasonable speed. He is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
