For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
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Q09071
September 4, 2007
EMPHASIS: Ten People Die In Traffic Crashes Over Labor Day Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 fatalities during the 2007 Labor Day holiday. Last year, there were 18 fatalities. The 2007 counting period ran from 6 p.m., Friday, August 31, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 3, 2007. During this period, the Patrol investigated 320 traffic crashes, which included 156 injuries and eight fatalities. The St. Louis Police Department and Columbia Police Department each investigated one fatality. Troopers made 186 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2007, compared to 172 arrests last year. (Note: In 2006, troopers investigated 309 traffic crashes, which included 160 injuries and 12 fatalities. )

Of the eight fatalities troopers investigated, three occurred in the Troop C, St. Louis area; two each occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area, and Troop F, Jefferson City, area; and one occurred in Troop H, St. Joseph area.

Two people died during the counting period on Friday, August 31, 2007. David M. Dickens, 50, of Paynesville, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, left the roadway, and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on its top. Dickens was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Pike County at Route H and Pike County Road 213. Pike County Coroner Jim Turner pronounced Dickens dead at the scene of the crash.

Lyndi M. Richardson, 27, of Des Moines, IA, died after falling from the tailgate of a vehicle after the vehicle accelerated. Another person, who was also sitting on the tailgate, also fell from the tailgate and sustained serious injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured; he was not wearing a seat belt. The incident occurred in Camden County on CV Hill Drive, two tenths of a mile from Lake Road 5-41. Dr. Heiser pronounced Richardson dead at University Hospital in Columbia, MO.

Five people died in traffic crashes on September 1, 2007. Donald E. Luncsford, 26, of Des Moines, IA, died when he overcorrected after his Freightliner FL70 box truck traveled into the median. The truck traveled back into the driving lane and overturned, before sliding back into the median. Luncsford was not wearing a seat belt, and was ejected. The crash occurred on Interstate 35 northbound 10 miles north of Bethany, MO. Harrison County Coroner Jeremy Eivins pronounced Luncsford dead at the scene.

Shelly D. Hornbeck, 41, of Sullivan, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, she overcorrected, then lost control. The vehicle overturned and Hornbeck, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. The crash occurred in Washington County on Missouri Highway 185 near Missouri Route N. Dr. Rich Leahy pronounced Hornbeck dead at Washington County Memorial Hospital.

Shannon P. Lynch, 24, of Greenbriar, AR, died when the vehicle she was driving failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. A passenger in Lynch’s vehicle sustained minor injuries. Neither was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Camden County on Missouri Highway 7 north of Missouri Route J. Camden County Deputy Medical Examiner Mike Schmidt pronounced Lynch dead at the scene.

Natasha N. Atterberry, of Columbia, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving failed to negotiate a turn, the vehicle traveled off the roadway, and struck a tree. Atterberry was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on Blackfoot Road in Columbia, MO. The crash was investigated by the Columbia Police Department.

A pedestrian, Brisaan Smith, 5, of Chesterfield, MO, died after being struck by a vehicle that ran a stop sign at Greer in St. Louis. The driver then lost control of the vehicle and struck a fence. He was not injured. A representative of the medical examiner’s office pronounced Smith dead at the scene. The crash was investigated by the St. Louis Police Department.

One person died on September 2, 2007. Matthew Lawrence, 29, of Lincoln, IL, died when the ATV he was driving overturned. Lawrence was not wearing a helmet; he was ejected. The crash occurred on a private road north of Silva, MO. Dr. Kelly Hartel pronounced Lawrence dead at the Madison Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.

Two people died on September 3, 2007. John W. Hackle, 15, of Broseley, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, ran off the road, became airborne, struck a ditch, and overturned. Hackle was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Butler County on County Road 677 east of Broseley, MO. Assistant Butler County Coroner Jim Akers pronounced Hackle dead.

Detailed information about the second fatality on September 3, 2007, is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. The crash occurred in Franklin County on Missouri Route T.

Note: Totals may change due to late deaths.