Jefferson County man killed in crash by accused repeat DUI offender

Paul and Joann Scaglione were on their way home from their regular Friday lunch when they were hit by a drunk driver, according to Missouri Highway Patrol.

Richard Nicely was taken into custody Monday night.

Paul, 88, died from the crash. His wife Joann, 87, is recovering with multiple broken ribs and a concussion. The crash happened Friday at 12:30 on Highway B near Klondike Farms Road. The couple was just a few miles from their home in Dittmer.

According to the accident report, Richard Nicely, 33, is facing charges of felony driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of another and DWI resulting in serious injuries.

Nicely was taken into custody on Monday, Dec. 9. His probation was revoked and a warrant was issued. He is being held on no bond.

Official charges have not yet been filed by the Jefferson County prosecutor.

But court records show this is not Nicely’s first time being accused of driving under the influence. He is currently on probation from a 2017 aggravated DUI. He was released from jail in July after serving just 120 days.

“We just can’t make sense of it, just totally can’t make sense of it,” said Josephine Consiglio, Paul’s sister.

Jefferson County prosecutor Trisha Stefanski said Nicely received the sentence because it was his first felony DUI. Court documents from his 2017 DUI list his priors, including: a 2005 DWI, a 2006 driving with excessive blood alcohol content, and a 2012 DWI.

Becky Haley, a program manager with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said shock treatment is often typical.

“Typically we do see a lot of felony offenders receive minimum 120 day shock treatment, if you will, hoping that by putting them in the Department of Corrections will shock them and they will come back rehabilitated,” said Haley.

He had multiple conditions of his probation including ignition interlock device, SCRAM alcohol monitoring bracelet, and a revoked license.

Investigators from Friday’s accident would not tell News 4 whether the car involved in Friday’s crash had ignition interlock or whether he was wearing his monitor.

Stefanksi said she filed a motion to revoke Nicely’s probation. A warrant has been issued.

Josephine said she hopes people remember her brother as a father, a husband, and as a person who would help anyone.

“He was a good man, we know he’s in heaven.”

If you or a loved one have suffered accident injuries in a car accident call Northland Injury Law at 816-400-4878 to speak to a Missouri automobile accident lawyer today for help in recovering the compensation you need. An experienced personal injury attorney can ease some of the burden by engaging in fact-finding, gathering the necessary documentation, and crafting concise and thorough demands for settlement of your claim.