A Joplin man enters a plea of not guilty in connection to a non-fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred in June.

 

Gilberto Alejandro entered the not guilty plea to charges of second-degree assault on Tuesday. Alejandro turned himself in at the Carthage Police Department on June 1, telling officers that he was the driver of the black Ford F-150 that hit the victim, Derek Dailey in the incident. Alejandro told investigators that a verbal altercation occurred between the two men in a parking lot, during which Alejandro says he saw a handgun in the waistband of Dailey's pants. Alajandro left the area but later returned to find Dailey still at the scene. He claims Dailey reached toward his waist as Alajandro drove toward him, prompting him to swerve and strike Dailey before fleeing the area.

 

Dailey suffered multiple abrasions and lacerations in the incident.

 

Alejandro is expected back in court on November 3.