The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reporting 10 people died in traffic crashes over the Independence Day holiday travel period including one person in Troop H.
Of the 10 traffic crash fatalities investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, four occurred in the Troop D, Springfield, area; and one each occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit, Troop B, Macon, Troop C, Weldon Spring, Troop E, Poplar Bluff, Troop F, Jefferson City, and Troop H, St. Joseph, areas.
Two traffic fatalities occurred on Friday, July 3, 2015. Charles K. Meier, 45, of St. Louis, MO, died after he pulled his vehicle to the shoulder and then made a U-turn in front of a second vehicle. The second vehicle struck Meier’s vehicle in the driver’s side door. The crash occurred in Franklin County on Missouri Highway 30 westbound just before Hendricks Road. Meier was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Emergency services personnel pronounced Meier dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt.
Terry L. Trusley, 56, of Eldon, MO, died when a vehicle pulled from a median crossover on U.S. Highway 63 in front of the motorcycle he was driving. Trusley applied his brakes, went into a skid, and struck the right side of the other vehicle. The crash occurred in Randolph County at Missouri Route NN in Renick, MO. Trusley was ejected from the motorcycle. Randolph County Coroner Gerald Luntsford pronounced Trusley dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries in the crash; she was wearing a seat belt. Southeastern Randolph County Fire Department, Randolph County Ambulance District, and Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Two people died on Saturday, July 4, 2015. Kimberly K. Hertzog, 44, of Princeton, MO, died when another vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the vehicle Hertzog was driving head-on. Hertzog was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Mercer County on U.S. Highway 136 east of Princeton, MO in Troop H. Mercer County Coroner Michael Greenlee pronounced Hertzog dead at the scene. Two passengers in Hertzog’s vehicle sustained moderate injuries; both were wearing seat belts. The driver of the other vehicle sustained serious injuries; she was not wearing a seat belt. Mercer County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
Austin K. Engram, 16, of Advance, MO, died when the Yamaha utility vehicle he was driving ran off the left side of the roadway, then struck several mailboxes and trees. The crash occurred in Bollinger County on Missouri Route Y southwest of Grassy, MO. Neither Engram nor a passenger were wearing a seat belt; both were ejected from the vehicle. Bollinger County Coroner Charles Hutchings pronounced Engram dead at the scene. The passenger in Engram’s vehicle sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Six people died on Sunday, July 5, 2015. Gregory A. Barkwell, 28, of Lake Ozark, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway. He overcorrected causing the vehicle to travel off the left side of the roadway and overturn several times. The crash occurred in St. Clair County on Missouri Route E north of Roscoe, MO. Barkwell was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. St. Clair County Coroner Randy Sheldon pronounced Barkwell dead at the scene of the crash.
Larry A. Noland, 71, of Warsaw, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving experienced a mechanical issue. As a result, the vehicle was traveling at a slow rate of speed on the interstate. A second vehicle struck the rear of the vehicle Noland was driving. The crash occurred on Interstate 70 westbound near the 118.2-mile marker. Noland was not wearing a seat belt; he was ejected from the vehicle. Dr. Chris Nelson pronounced Noland deceased at University Hospital & Clinics in Columbia, MO. The passenger in Noland’s vehicle sustained minor injuries in the crash; he was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the second vehicle sustained moderate injuries; he was wearing a seat belt.
Dennis L. Hayward, 61, of Springfield, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving began to skid then overturned when it attempted to avoid a farm implement. The farm implement was turning onto the roadway from a private field entrance. The crash occurred in Christian County on Missouri Highway 125 north of Linden, MO. Hayward and a passenger were ejected from the motorcycle which then struck the rear tire of the farm implement. The Christian County Coroner Brad Cole pronounced Hayward dead at the scene. The passenger on the motorcycle sustained serious injuries.
Lauren A. Small, 25, of Urbana, MO, and Emily A. Scammell, 19, of Weaubleau, MO, died when the vehicle Small was driving skidded across the centerline on Missouri Highway 64 and was struck in the passenger door by a second vehicle. The crash occurred in Hickory County on Missouri Highway 64 west of Nemo, MO. Neither Small nor Scammell were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Hickory County Coroner Connie Boller pronounced Small and Scammell dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries; he was wearing a seat belt.
Mitchell R. Neimann, 58, of Eagle Rock, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway and Neimann overcorrected. The motorcycle then returned to the roadway and overturned. Neimann was ejected onto the highway; the vehicle came to rest on the right side of the roadway. The crash occurred in Cass County on Interstate 49 southbound, north of Missouri Highway 7. Dr. Spencer Kirk pronounced Neimann dead at Belton Regional Medical Center. Cass County Sheriff’s Department and Harrisonville Police Department also responded to the scene.
The counting period began at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2015, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2015. The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked 305 traffic crashes in which 10 people died and 140 were injured. Troopers arrested 127 for driving while intoxicated. Troopers also investigated six boating crashes which included four injuries and zero fatalities. Troopers arrested 17 people for boating while intoxicated.
St. Joseph, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon signed four bills Wednesday that he said will fill gaps in Missouri legislation to protect citizens of all ages.
