Iron County Suspect Arrested After Slow Pursuit Ends in Collision

Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - On the evening of December 17, 2024, at approximately 6:52 p.m., an Iron County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop that escalated into a slow-speed pursuit.

The suspect vehicle failed to yield to emergency equipment, prompting the deputy to follow the vehicle south from Iron County Road 96 onto Missouri 21. The pursuit continued as the suspect drove onto Maple Street and Iron County Road 103. Law enforcement from the Pilot Knob and Ironton Police Departments joined the effort before the vehicle came to a stop in a driveway on Route M. However, the situation intensified when the driver reversed his vehicle and struck the deputy’s patrol car. The suspect, identified as Robert B. Bartley, of Ironton, was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Iron County Jail for processing.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the scene to investigate the collision. Bartley faces charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, and Resisting Arrest.