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
Q112811 (573) 526-6115

November 28, 2011
Emphasis: Three Fatalities Over 2011 Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports three people died during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2011 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2011. The Highway Patrol investigated all three fatality traffic crashes. Troopers investigated 365 traffic crashes, which included 125 injuries. In addition, troopers arrested 126 people for driving while intoxicated. [During the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday, troopers investigated 364 traffic crashes, which included 114 injuries. Statewide, there were seven fatalities over the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend. Troopers arrested 144 people for driving while intoxicated in 2010.]

Of the three fatality traffic crashes investigated by troopers, one each occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area; in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area; and in the Troop H, St. Joseph area.

One fatal traffic crash occurred on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Leonard M. Bass, 48, of Warrenton, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving slid through an intersection, traveled off the east side of the road and struck a tree. The crash occurred at the intersection of Hickory Lick Road and North Hickory Lick Road in Warren County. Bass was traveling at a high rate of speed; he was not wearing a seat belt. Warren County Assistant Coroner Roger Hellebush pronounced Bass dead at the scene.

Two fatalities occurred in crashes on Friday, November 25, 2011. Dylan T. Simmons, 17, of Sikeston, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the roadway and struck a tree. The crash occurred on Missouri Route H, 2.5 miles north of Blodgett, MO, in Scott County. Simmons was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Scott County Coroner Scott Amick pronounced Simmons dead at the scene. A passenger in Simmons' vehicle sustained serious injuries in the crash; he was not wearing a seat belt.

Mary A. Carlock, 51, of Princeton, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the left side of the road and she over corrected. The vehicle then ran off the right side of the roadway, overturning an unknown number of times. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 65 north of Princeton in Mercer County. Carlock was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash; she was ejected from the vehicle. Mercer County Coroner Michael Greenlee pronounced Carlock dead at the scene.

There were no boating incidents reported during the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent out.

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