CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. (Nov. 4, 2025) — A Festus man has been charged in Jefferson County with assault and driving while his license was suspended after allegedly attacking a person and fleeing a crash, according to court documents.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed misdemeanor charges against Raymond Pyatt, age 39, of Festus on Nov. 3, 2025.

According to the information filed in court, Pyatt is accused of fourth-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor. Prosecutors allege that on Aug. 23, 2025, Pyatt struck a victim in the face while driving a vehicle in Crystal City. After hitting the victim, he allegedly opened the door of the moving car and then proceeded to lose control of the car and crashed into a road sign, before fleeing the scene.

Pyatt also faces a class D misdemeanor charge of driving while his license was suspended under Section 302.321, RSMo. Prosecutors say he was driving on north Truman Boulevard at the time, despite having a suspended operator’s license.

The prosecuting attorney has requested that a summons be issued. If convicted, Pyatt could face penalties under Missouri’s misdemeanor sentencing statutes.

The above charges are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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