NEWS ALERT


For further information please contact:

Capt. Christian T. Ricks

(573) 526-6115

Q05064

May 30, 2006

EMPHASIS: Ten People Die During Memorial Day Holiday



Ten people died in traffic crashes over the 2006 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, 11 people were killed during the three-day weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 356 traffic crashes resulting in 183 injuries and seven fatalities during the counting period of 6 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2005 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 29, 2006. The St. Louis Police Department investigated two fatalities, and the St. Charles Police Department investigated one fatality. During this same counting period, 208 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated. During the 2005 Memorial Day weekend, 177 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.


Of the seven fatalities investigated by troopers, two occurred in Troop D (Springfield area); and one each occurred in Troop B (Macon area), Troop C (St. Louis area), Troop E (Poplar Bluff area), Troop F (Jefferson City area), and Troop G (Willow Springs area).


Four people died as a result of crashes occurring on Saturday, May 27, 2006. Ronald D. Hoshaw, 72, of Shell Knob, MO, died when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on. Hoshaw was pronounced dead at the scene by Barry County Coroner Skip White. The crash occurred in Barry County on Missouri Highway 39 south of Jenkins, MO. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle sustained moderate and serious injuries, respectively. Hoshaw was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the other vehicle was wearing a seat belt; it is unknown whether or not the passenger wore a seat belt.


Benjamin G. Turner, 21, of Poplar Bluff, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the road and overturned. Turner and one passenger were ejected. Deputy Coroner Bruce Goins pronounced Turner dead at the scene. The two passengers in Turner’s vehicle sustained minor injuries. None of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Butler County on Route M west of Poplar Bluff, MO.


Dianne L. Blevins, 42, of Golden, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway on a curve and overturned. Blevins was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Barry County Coroner Skip White pronounced Blevins dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Barry County on Missouri Highway 86 east of Golden, MO.


Hannah Juergens, 15, of Wildwood, MO, died when the vehicle in which she was a passenger swerved to miss an animal, ran off the right side of the road, and overturned. The driver of the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and was wearing a seat belt. Two additional passengers sustained serious and moderate injuries. It is unknown whether or not Juergens and the other two passengers were wearing seat belts. The Crash occurred in Callaway County westbound on U.S. Highway 54, north of Richland Creek. Juergens was pronounced dead at University Hospital.


Four people died in crashes occurring on Sunday, May 28, 2006. Terry W. Peat, 16, of Zanoni, MO, died when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger lost control of the vehicle in a curve, ran off the roadway, and overturned several times. Both Peat and the driver were not wearing seat belts; both were ejected. Ozark County Coroner Dave Goodnight pronounced Peat dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Ozark County on Missouri Route N north of Brixley, MO.


Jason R. List, 33, of LaPlata, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger ran off the east side of the roadway and began sliding. The vehicle slid back onto the road and overturned several times before coming to rest on its wheels. List was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries; she was wearing a seat belt. Adair County Coroner Brian Noe pronounced List dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Adair County on U.S. Highway 63 south of Millard, MO.


Jill Raiser, 57, of St. Louis, died after being struck by a vehicle while walking on a sidewalk. The driver of the vehicle traveled onto the sidewalk after attempting to avoid another vehicle. Another pedestrian sustained serious injuries in the crash, which occurred at 4708 Morganford, St. Louis. The St. Louis Police Department investigated this traffic crash.


Iris Kilgore, 34, of St. Louis, died when the driver of the motorcycle on which she was a passenger lost control of the vehicle. The motorcycle was laid down on its right side and slid until Kilgore and the driver were thrown from the vehicle. The crash occurred at 855 E. Taylor, St. Louis. The driver of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries. The St. Louis Police Department investigated this traffic crash.


Two people died as a result of traffic crashes on Monday, May 29, 2006. Travis D. Ruebel, 20, of O’Fallon, MO, died when his vehicle slid sideways into a raised shoulder and overturned twice. Ruebel was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred on the South Outer Road of Interstate 70 east of Cave Springs overpass. Dr. David Nickle pronounced Ruebel dead at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles. The St. Charles Police Department investigated the crash.


Scott J. Porter, 27, of Irondale, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving struck a deer, overturned, and slid off the roadway. Porter was wearing a helmet; he was ejected from the motorcycle. The crash occurred in St. Francois County on Missouri Route M west of Route BB. Dr. Keddy of Mineral Area Hospital pronounced Porter dead.