For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q7061 (573) 526-6115
July 5, 2007
EMPHASIS: Three Deaths During July Fourth Weekend

Three people died in traffic crashes during the 2007 July Fourth holiday’s 30-hour counting period. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2007 and ended at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, 2007. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 64 injuries in 103 traffic crashes, and made 50 driving while intoxicated arrests. During last year’s 102-hour counting period, 12 people died and 840 people were injured in 1,669 traffic crashes. Troopers made 165 driving while intoxicated arrests during the 2006 counting period.

Of the three fatalities, Troop A, Lee’s Summit, investigated two fatalities, and Troop C, St. Louis, investigated one fatality.

One person died on Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Phillip D. Sims, 36, of Kansas City, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving struck another vehicle head-on. Sims’ vehicle was traveling in the wrong lane at the time of the crash, which occurred on U.S. Highway 69 east of Missouri Route AA in Platte County. Sims was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the other vehicle sustained serious injuries; he was also wearing a seat belt.

Two people died on Wednesday, July 4, 2007. Brandon J. Kelly, 21, of Imperial, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, traveled through the median, crossed the northbound lanes, struck a rock embankment, and overturned. Kelly was partially ejected; he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on Interstate 55 south of Missouri Route M in Jefferson County.

Brooke N. Baxter, 16, of Excelsior Springs, MO, died after attempting to cross a low water crossing which was flooding. Baxter’s vehicle was swept off the roadway and carried approximately 100 yards before being submerged. Baxter was unable to exit the vehicle. The crash occurred on 142nd Terrace at Williams Creek in Clay County. It is unknown whether or not Baxter was wearing a seat belt. Jackson County Medical Examiner Jerry Holder pronounced Baxter dead at the scene.

NOTE: Fatality statistics may change due to late deaths.
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