Zackary Young, 28, of Independence, Missouri, was charged by the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is accused of deliberately striking and killing a Liberty woman with his vehicle.

The incident happened near the intersection of La Frenz and Ruth Ewing Road about 2:30 on Monday, August 22.

Investigators say that a Dodge Ram pickup was traveling southbound on La Frenz Road and struck the victim, 20-year-old Savanna Churchill, on the northbound side of the road. Churchill was determined to be outside of her vehicle with the car’s flat tire.

Police arrested Young several blocks away. When police asked him about the crash, he said, “yeah it was me.” The investigation further revealed that Young intentionally hit Churchill with his vehicle.

Documents in this case note that Liberty Police noticed Young’s speech to be slow and slurred. When he was asked if he had consumed anything or drank any alcohol, Young shook his head up and down.

Young is currently being held on a Clay County warrant with a $1,000,000 bond.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story