A 60-year-old Walnut Hill man faces charges in connection with a March 8th incident in Centralia where he is accused of pushing a family member out of a moving vehicle.
Harold Cottrill of Mills Road has been charged with aggravated domestic battery, aggravated reckless driving, and misdemeanor domestic battery in connection with the incident.
Cottrill is accused of causing great bodily harm to the female passenger by pushing her out of the vehicle.
Centralia Police learned of the incident when the alleged victim went to the emergency room of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment for a broken pelvis, multiple small scrapes, and a possible brain bleed. She told police she had been arguing with Cottrill. She tried to open the door and run for help as the car slowed at the intersection. But as she did so, Cottrill allegedly accelerated fast when turning the corner and shoved her hard out of the vehicle. The alleged victim said she hit the ground as Cottrill drove off.
State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth requested Cottrill be held without bond pending further court action, but the request was rejected. As part of pre-trial release, Cottrill was ordered to have GPS monitoring and stay at least 500 feet away from the alleged victim.
Cottrill is due back in court on July 9th for his first appearance with an attorney and for a preliminary hearing.
