MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q53111-1
May 31, 2011
EMPHASIS: Four People Die In Traffic Crashes; No Boating Fatalities During Memorial Day Holiday

Four people died in traffic crashes over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, six people were killed during the three-day weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 281 traffic crashes resulting in 127 injuries and three of the fatalities during the counting period of 6 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011. The Jefferson City Police Department investigated one fatality. During this same counting period, 133 people were arrested by the Patrol for driving while intoxicated. During the 2010 Memorial Day weekend, the Patrol investigated 270 traffic crashes resulting in 133 injuries and arrested 157 people for driving while intoxicated.

There were no boating fatalities over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend. However, troopers investigated eight boating crashes involving one injury. One person drowned at the Lake Of The Ozarks. Troopers also arrested 23 people for boating while intoxicated over the holiday weekend. During the 2010 Memorial Day weekend, officers investigated 14 boating accidents, which included eight injuries and zero fatalities. Three people drowned and 36 people were arrested for boating while intoxicated during last year’s Memorial Day weekend.

Of the three fatalities investigated by the Patrol, two fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area; and one fatality occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit area.

Three of the fatal crashes occurred on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Jimmie L. Brown, 59, of Imperial, MO, died when the 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle he was driving traveled off the east side of the roadway, and struck a tree and barbed wire fence. The crash occurred on Missouri Route E south of Belleville Lane in Jefferson County. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene by Valle Ambulance District personnel. A passenger on the motorcycle sustained serious injuries, and was flown to St. John’s Medical Center.

Bradley M. Harris, 14, of Washington, MO, died when the driver of the motorcycle on which he was a passenger lost control. The 2009 Harley Davidson slid into another lane, the driver was ejected. Harris and the motorcycle were struck by two vehicles. Harris was pronounced dead at St. Johns Medical Center by Dr. Nyachowe. The driver of the motorcycle sustained moderate injuries in the crash. The drivers of the second and third vehicles involved in the crash were not injured. The crash occurred on Interstate 70 west of Missouri Highway 94 in St. Charles County.
Andrew M. Thomas, 27, of Newton, IA, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the roadway and struck a guardrail. Thomas was ejected from the vehicle, which then struck the guardrail a second time. The crash occurred at U.S. Highway 54 east and U.S. Highway 63 South in Cole County. Thomas was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The Jefferson City Police Department investigated the crash.

One fatal traffic crash occurred on Monday, May 30, 2011. Terry L. Stutts, 52, of Peculiar, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the median, rolled several times, and came to rest on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 71 north of Missouri Route C in Cass County. Stutts was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A passenger in Stutts’ vehicle was wearing a seat belt; she sustained moderate injuries in the crash. Stutts was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drowning over the Memorial Day weekend holiday occurred on Monday, May 30, 2011. Timothy L. Miller, 39, of St. Louis, MO, drowned while swimming off a dock on Lake of the Ozarks at the 21 1/2 mile-mark in Salt Hollow Cove in Camden County. Witnesses on a neighboring dock heard the victim yell for help before he went under water and did not resurface. The victim’s body was located by Highway Patrol troopers using sonar. The Mid-County Dive Team recovered the body. Miller was pronounced dead at the scene by Camden County Coroner Dr. James Jungels.

NOTE: The above holiday totals do not include one drowning and one vehicle fatality, both of which occurred on private property. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical rather than traffic incident.


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