Adair County: Adair driver charged with attempted murder

In an alleged fit of anger, an Adair man is accused of hitting a victim twice with a vehicle. While initial charges included reckless driving, that has since been amended to attempted murder, a Class B felony.

Cristian Ortiz, 33, of Adair, was taken into custody 12:56 a.m. March 15 at Fifth and Hillcrest streets in Adair on the charges of willful injury causing bodily injury, a Class D felony; kidnapping, third degree, a Class C felony; domestic abuse assault - injury or mental illness, first offense, a serious misdemeanor and reckless driving.

According to Adair Police reports, at approximately 11:40 p.m. March 14, law enforcement and EMS responded to the 300 block of Audubon Street in Adair after an individual was reportedly hit by a vehicle. Ortiz was named as a suspect. Deputies located Ortiz at Maverik Gas Station and detained him. He told deputies he was trying to get his son who was missing.

The victim was observed to have multiple bruises over their body and a tire track with dirt across it on the pants they were wearing.

The victim told law enforcement Ortiz had contacted them while upset and asked to be picked up. The victim took Ortiz’s son to a friend’s house for safety while Ortiz was upset.

While the victim was driving, Ortiz punched the victim in the head and demanded to know where his son was. The victim did not respond physically but stopped the vehicle and got out. Ortiz took control of the vehicle, drove away and then called the victim asking if they would come get him again.

The victim began walking toward Maverik when Ortiz drove the vehicle back toward them and hit the victim, pinning them to the bridge. The victim fell to the ground and was ran over a second time. Ortiz then grabbed the victim and pulled them into the car.

The victim was able to call 911 and get out of the car north of the bridge, attempting to make it to the bar, where the victim believed people would be present. While walking to the bar, Ortiz circled the area and the victim was fearful that he would hit them again. Bar staff came outside and helped the victim.

Ortiz made no statements to law enforcement other than comments pertaining to where his son was.

Ortiz was transported to the Adair County Jail and held on $25,000 cash-only bond.

On March 23, the Adair County Attorney filed trial information, amending the reckless driving charge and accusing Ortiz of the amended crime of attempted murder, a Class B felony. The domestic abuse assault charge was also amended to domestic abuse assault with the intent to cause serious injury, an aggravated misdemeanor.