Springfield woman charged with first-degree murder after fatal hit-and-run

A Springfield woman has been charged with first-degree murder after Tuesday's fatal hit-and-run crash.

Elizabeth McKeown, 46, was charged with murder and armed criminal action in the death of 57-year-old Barbara E. Foster.

McKeown allegedly told police she "tricked" Foster and then "slammed into her."

Police say McKeown hit Foster with her car at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Campbell Avenue and University Street.

McKeown then drove away and crashed into a vehicle a few blocks away, according to police. Witnesses helped detain McKeown until officers arrived.

A probable cause statement filed Wednesday afternoon provides details about the seemingly flippant remarks McKeown allegedly made after the crash.

McKeown allegedly told police she got upset sitting in traffic behind Foster's vehicle because she was in a rush to get to the bank to make her car payment.

The statement says McKeown told police that when Foster "wouldn't go," she started nudging Foster's car and then "decided to hit it full out."

After the initial crash, the statement says Foster got out of her car to assess the damage, and McKeown hit Foster with her Ford Mustang.

McKeown allegedly told police she "tricked" Foster into thinking she would be still and then she "slammed into her and cut her in half."

A witness allegedly told police he yelled at McKeown that she had hit someone, and McKeown responded by mouthing the words, "I know."

Prosecutors say the victim was dragged 58 feet under McKeown's car.

McKeown is being held in the Greene County Jail and does not have an attorney listed for this case. First-degree murder carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Police ask that witnesses or others with information contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477.

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