Assistant Principal Formally Charged with DWI in December Fishing River Incident

Excelsior Springs, Mo. — More than seven months after driving his pickup truck into Fishing River on a chilly December evening, Lewis Elementary School Assistant Principal Luke Bryson Travis has officially been charged with driving while intoxicated, following the return of delayed lab results from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Crime Lab.

The charge, a Class B misdemeanor, stems from a December 18, 2024, incident in which Travis’s Toyota Tacoma went off-road, crossed the Fishing River Linear Park Trail, and became lodged on the rocky riverbank just below the Isley Boulevard bridge. The vehicle was found partially submerged and running when police arrived.

The incident unfolded in front of dozens of witnesses, including parents and students volunteering at the Lane of Lights holiday display. Many of the volunteers were affiliated with the Amigos youth soccer team, which was hosting the event that evening. Several parents rushed to the riverbank to check on the driver before police arrived.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the Excelsior Springs Police Department, Travis admitted to attending a Christmas party that evening, stated he had been drinking, and acknowledged he was driving at the time of the crash. Officers reported signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, swaying, and a strong odor of alcohol. He initially attempted a breath test but failed to provide a sufficient sample, prompting officers to obtain a warrant for a blood draw.

Clay County is designated as a “no refusal” county, meaning officers may seek a warrant for a chemical test in cases where a suspect refuses or is unable to provide a valid breath sample. Travis was transported to Excelsior Springs Hospital, where a blood draw was performed under warrant. 

The resulting blood sample was submitted to the MSHP Crime Lab on December 19, 2024, but was delayed for over seven months due to a backlog in cases at the state level. The results, showing a blood alcohol content of 0.167% ± 0.011, more than twice the legal limit, were not returned until July 2, 2025. The results, along with the full probable cause report, were submitted to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office on July 17.

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson confirmed his office received the case materials on July 17 and filed the charge the following day. The Clay County Circuit Court recognized the charge and issued a criminal summons on Monday, July 21. Travis is scheduled to appear in Division 7 Court in Liberty on Thursday, August 28, at 1:30 p.m.

At the time of the incident, Travis was serving his first year as assistant principal at the newly built Lewis Elementary School, having returned to the district after a brief tenure as a principal in Kearney. He had previously worked for many years as a teacher at Elkhorn Elementary and the Excelsior Springs Middle School.

While the district has not announced any disciplinary action, the employee handbook does not specify consequences for off-campus legal matters such as a DWI. Instead, it outlines general expectations for employee conduct, stating:

“As an employee of the Excelsior Springs School District you hold a position of trust within the community… you are expected to serve as a role model for the students you serve.”

The policy encourages staff to conduct themselves “in a proper manner” and notes that failure to do so could result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, though such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

In a statement sent to the Excelsior Citizen, Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Human Resources Scott Guilkey acknowledged the newly filed charge and confirmed that the matter remains under internal review.

“We are aware of the recently updated status of a matter involving a District employee,” Guilkey said. “The alleged incident took place last school year in December 2024. The District will evaluate next steps and continue to process this personnel matter as outlined in Board policy. If additional information becomes available, we will review as appropriate. Our focus remains on the best interests of our students as we prepare for the upcoming school year.”

According to officials, Travis has no prior alcohol-related offenses. If convicted, he faces up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.