Seth Birch, 45, of Garden City, has been sentenced to sixteen years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for causing the death of a woman.
On March 13, 2025, the Clinton Police Department responded to and investigated a crash at Missouri Highway 7 and Water Street. It was determined that Birch, while operating a motor vehicle at too high a speed and while intoxicated, struck a woman operating a motorized scooter. Upon striking the woman, Birch continued traveling northwest on Highway 7 away from Clinton. Members of the community that observed the crash immediately called to report the incident and at least one followed Birch until law enforcement intercepted him.
First responders, particularly the initial responding officer, performed life-saving measures, saving the victim. Unfortunately, the victim’s injuries were too significant, and she passed away a week later as a result.
The Henry County Prosecuting Attorney filed the charges of involuntary manslaughter, driving while intoxicated (causing death), leaving the scene of an accident with death, and armed criminal action.
On November 10, 2025, Birch entered a guilty plea to all charges, taking responsibility for his actions. The Court, with joint recommendation of the prosecutor and the defendant, sentenced Birch to ten years on the count of involuntary manslaughter, seven years on the count of driving while intoxicated, four years on the count of leaving the scene, and six years on the count of armed criminal action. The ten-year sentence and six-year sentence are to be served consecutively. Therefore, Birch will serve sixteen years in the Missouri Department of Corrections with the possibility of parole.
