The driver of a motorcycle that crashed this past September while fleeing from authorities was under the influence of multiple heavy drugs and had heroin in his underwear, according to charges filed last week in Platte County. Jeffery Ledman, 40, faces one count each for DWI and poessision of a controlled substance. He faces more than 15 years in prison but remains at large, wanted on an active warrant from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a probable cause statement, a Riverside (Mo.) Police Department Officer spotted a motorcycle fleeing from authorities in Kansas at about 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2014 near the intersection of Highway 9 and Interstate 635 in southern Platte County. The vehicle swerved in and out of a closed construction lane while passing other motorists.
As it traveled north on I-635 toward Interstate 29, the driver, later identified as Ledman, lost control and slammed into the guard rail and suffered injuries in the crash. He was transported to a local hospital.
When officers arrived at the hospital, workers advised that while removing Ledman’s clothes to check for injuries they located a bag tied to his underwear containing a black, tar-like substance. The bag was taken into evidence and later tested positive for heroin.
Under questioning, Ledman told officers he had taken heroin earlier in the morning. However, a blood test revealed ethanol, amphetamines, THC, opiates and methadone in his system.