NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Capt. Christian T. Ricks
(573) 526-6115
Q7061
July 5, 2006
EMPHASIS: Eight Deaths During July Fourth Weekend
Eight people died in traffic crashes during the 2006 July Fourth holiday counting period. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Friday, June 30, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, July 4, 2006. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 247 injuries in 419 traffic crashes, and made 165 driving while intoxicated arrests. Last year, seven people died during the counting period.
Of the 8 fatalities, Troop A, Lee’s Summit, Troop E, Poplar Bluff, and Troop G, Willow Springs each investigated one fatality; Troop C, St. Louis, investigated two fatalities; and Troop F, Jefferson City, investigated three fatalities.
There were no fatalities on Friday, June 30, 2006.
Three fatalities occurred on Saturday, July 1, 2006. Daniel E. McMillin, 22, of Warsaw, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving skidded off the left side of the roadway. McMillan overcorrected, left the right side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned before coming to rest on its top. Benton County Coroner Jim Miller pronounced McMillin dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Benton County on Missouri Highway 83 north of Little Pomme Bridge. McMillan was not wearing a seat belt.
James B. Thacker, 68, of St. Charles, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, reentered the highway, then traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. Dr. Kim Perry pronounced Thacker dead at St. Joseph Hospital. The crash occurred in St. Charles County on Missouri Highway 364 west of Upper Bottom Road. Thacker was not wearing a seat belt.
Dennis Bartlow, 58, of Mexico, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving traveled off the roadway and struck a sign. Dr. Majercik pronounced Bartlow dead at University Hospital. The crash occurred in Callaway County on Missouri Highway A.
One fatality occurred on Sunday, July 2, 2006. Herbert S. Sayers, 22, of Wildwood, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve to the left. The vehicle skidded off the roadway and struck a tree. Sayers was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Washington County Coroner Steve Hatfield pronounced Sayers dead at Washington County Hospital. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 185 and Strange Road.
One fatality occurred on Monday, July 3, 2006. Barbara A. Nard, 64, of Dexter, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving struck another vehicle head on. Stoddard County Coroner Morgan Sifford pronounced Nard dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Stoddard County on Missouri Highway 25 north of Bloomfield. The driver of the vehicle Nard’s vehicle struck sustained minor injuries. Nard was not wearing a seat belt.
Three fatalities occurred on Tuesday, July 4, 2006. Christopher P. Spaulding, 27, of Versailles, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving ran off the road while attempting to pass another vehicle. Spaulding’s vehicle then struck an embankment. Dr. Barry pronounced Spaulding dead at Lake Regional Hospital. The crash occurred July 3, 2006, on Missouri Highway 5 south of Route TT’s South Junction.
Beverly A. Simmons, 35, of Alton, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the right side of the roadway. Simmons overcorrected causing the vehicle to run off the left side of the roadway. It then struck a mailbox and overturned several times. Simmons was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Oregon County Coroner Tom Clary. The crash occurred in Oregon County on Missouri Highway 19 north of Alton.
Anastasia Shaurina, 19, of Sunrise Beach, MO, died when the vehicle in which she was a passenger pulled into the path of another vehicle. Dr. Peth pronounced Shaurina dead at Lake Regional Hospital. Shaurina was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle and one other passenger sustained minor injuries; they were wearing seat belts. Two other passengers sustained moderate injuries; they were not wearing seat belts. The driver of the second vehicle and a passenger were wearing seat belts. The passenger in the second vehicle sustained moderate injuries. The crash occurred in Camden County on Missouri Route MM at Lake Road MM-16.