A St. Joseph man was arrested Tuesday for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that killed a 10-year-old boy.

Michael Burgess, 29, surrendered himself at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H headquarters alongside his attorney Tuesday afternoon, said Sgt. Sheldon Lyon.

The accident occurred Friday on U.S. Highway 59, two miles south of St. Joseph. Mr. Burgess allegedly was traveling south when he struck the rear of another southbound vehicle. That vehicle overturned several times, coming to rest on its wheels on the west side of the roadway. Mr. Burgess then fled the scene, according to the Highway Patrol report.

The individuals in the other vehicle all suffered injuries. Three suffered minor injuries. Ten-year-old Keenan A. Hershberger was pronounced dead at Heartland Regional Medical Center the following day.

Officers at the crash scene said the heavy rain that fell Friday night may have played a part in the accident.

The 2001 Jeep Cherokee Mr. Burgess was reportedly driving later was found abandoned by Highway Patrol officers on a gravel road near the scene of the accident. Mr. Burgess isn’t the registered owner of the vehicle, Mr. Lyon said.

Mr. Burgess has pleaded guilty to more than five other charges in the past 10 years, including unlawful use of a weapon, possession of illegal wildlife and domestic assault, according to court records. He served jail time on some of the charges.

Mr. Burgess was in custody at the Buchanan County Jail Tuesday and may be charged with a crime related to the accident by this afternoon.

Megan Tilk can be reached at megantilk@npgco.com.