The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported three traffic fatalities, zero boating fatalities and two drownings over the July Fourth holiday.

The 2018 July Fourth holiday counting period ran from 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, to 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

During the 102-hour counting period in 2017, 26 people were killed and 469 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,076 traffic crashes. Over the 2017 July Fourth holiday, troopers arrested 172 people for driving while intoxicated.

The MSHP investigated one fatal traffic crash occurring within the 2018 July Fourth counting period. The Kansas City Police Department investigated two traffic fatalities. The fatality crash troopers investigated occurred in the Troop G, Willow Springs area. The remaining fatalities occurred in the Troop A, Kansas City area.

There were no fatal traffic crashes reported on July 3, 2018, during the counting period.

Three fatalities occurred on July 4, 2018. Austin C. King, 22, of Smithton, IL, died when the motorcycle he was operating struck a deer in the roadway, traveled off the left side of the road, and struck a guard rail. The crash occurred in Reynolds County, on Missouri Highway 21 north of Ellington, MO. King was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Reynolds County Assistant Coroner Tom Stout pronounced King deceased.

Nicholas J. Bowman, 29, of Blue Springs died when the motorcycle he was operating struck a curb. Both Bowman and a passenger were ejected. The crash occurred in Jackson County as Bowman was exiting Interstate 35 to 12th Street. The passenger sustained serious injuries in the crash. It is unknown whether or not Bowman and his passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Kansas City Police Department officers investigated.

Derrick D. Iverson, 41, of Kansas City, MO, died when the motorcycle he was operating failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, left the roadway, struck a curb, continued through the median, and struck a tree. The crash occurred in Jackson County at 104th Street and Holmes Road. It is unknown whether or not Iverson was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Kansas City Police Department officers investigated.

Two people drowned during the 2018 July Fourth holiday counting period.

Cole J. Duffell, 19, of Chesterfield, MO, drowned after he jumped off an embankment into a quarry in Madison County north of Fredericktown, MO. Madison County Coroner Collin Follis pronounced Duffell deceased. Cape Girardeau County Dive Team also responded to the scene. Duffell was recovered at 5:18 p.m. July 4.

Eric A. Dietrich, 13, of Geneseo, IL, drowned after jumping off a vessel. The drowning occurred in Camden County at the 21-mile marker of the Osage Arm in Salt Hollow Cove at Lake of the Ozarks. Medical Examiner Crystal Lloyd pronounced Dietrich deceased. Mid-County Fire Department and Dive Team also responded to the scene. Dietrich was recovered at 8:47 p.m. on July 4.

 

2018 July Fourth Holiday Traffic Statistics

Crashes ─ 114

Injuries ─ 59

Fatalities ─ 3

DWI ─ 40

Drug Arrests ─ 38

 

2018 July Fourth Holiday Boating Statistics

Crashes ─ 5

Injuries ─ 2

Fatalities ─ 0

Drownings ─ 2

BWI ─ 3

Drug Arrests ─ 8