Persistent offender arrested on DWI charge

You have to wonder what 64-year-old Edward Meerwald of Neosho doesn’t understand about the dangers of driving under the influence.

On Friday, May 3, the persistent DWI offender was pulled over at 44th and Main on charges of DWI and DWS. The charges came with a “No Bond Hold” order.

For Meerwald, it’s nothing new.

Meerwald previously spent time in prison for hitting and killing a Neosho girl and her grandfather while he was intoxicated in 2004.

Seven-year-old Jessica Mann and 69-year-old James Dodson were walking to the mailbox at Dodson’s home on Highway 86 in Neosho in 2004 when Meerwald hit them.

The incident inspired a bill in the Missouri Legislature named “Jessica’s Law,” which increased penalties for drunken driving.

Meerwald was released early on his involuntary manslaughter conviction, and Judge John LePage restored Meerwald’s driving privileges in January 2017, saying he was no longer a danger to society.

Less than a year and a half after his license was reinstated, Meerwald was arrested again during a traffic stop in June 2018 on Highway 59 in McDonald County.

He told the trooper at the time he had only drank two beers, but would likely fail the breath test. His blood alcohol level, at .11, was nearly twice the legal limit.

He went to court in late April in McDonald County on still another DWI charge. Meerwald’s next court date in McDonald County was slated for Thursday, May 9.

It isn’t known if he’ll be out of jail in Jasper County or otherwise able to make that court date.

Newstalk KZRG will continue following the story.