NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q05083
May 27, 2008
EMPHASIS: Ten People Die During Memorial Day Holiday

Ten people died in traffic crashes over the 2008 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, 15 people were killed during the three-day weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 330 traffic crashes resulting in 145 injuries and six of the ten fatalities during the counting period of 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 26, 2008. The Kansas City Police Department investigated a double fatality traffic crash; the St. Louis County Police Department and the Springfield Police Department each investigated one fatality traffic crash. During this same counting period, 197 people were arrested by the Patrol for driving while intoxicated. During the 2007 Memorial Day weekend, 227 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Of the six fatalities investigated by troopers, four occurred in Troop D (Springfield area); one occurred in the Troop A (Lee’s Summit area); and one occurred in the Troop F (Jefferson City area).

One person died as a result of crashes occurring on Friday, May 23, 2008. Robert J. Harrison, 17, of Fair Grove, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. The vehicle went off the roadway, became airborne, and impacted a pond embankment. The vehicle came to rest in the pond. The crash occurred in Webster County on Missouri Route EE east of Elkland, MO. Webster County Coroner Michael Taylor pronounced Harrison dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The passenger was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash; Harrison was not.

Four fatalities occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Ryan L. Chapman, 34, of Stigler, OK, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway, he overcorrected, came back onto the roadway, and then the vehicle rolled off the roadway, across the median, and into the southbound lane. The crash occurred in Barton County on U.S. Highway 71 south of Lamar, MO. Barton County Coroner Tucker Joustra pronounced Chapman dead at the scene. There were three passengers in Chapman’s vehicle. Two passengers sustained minor injuries and one sustained serious injuries. Only one passenger was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Chapman and one passenger were ejected from the vehicle.

John A. Rector, 60, of Cameron, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving left the roadway, went into the median and struck an emergency crossover. The vehicle then went airborne and overturned. The crash occurred in Clay County on Interstate 35 at the 28-mile marker. Medical Examiner Allison Roybal pronounced Rector dead at the scene. Rector was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

George Brakebill, 74, of Pittsburg, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. The vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned several times. Brakebill was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Hickory County on Missouri Highway 64 south of Pittsburgh, MO. Dr. Larson at St. Johns Hospital pronounced Brakebill dead.

Gregory G. Kobierski, 58, of Springfield, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving struck the curb on the right side of the roadway. The motorcycle then slid on its left side on the sidewalk and flipped over. Kobierski was pronounced dead at St. Johns Hospital. The crash occurred on E. Greens Drive in Springfield, MO. The Springfield Police Department investigated this traffic crash.

Four fatalities occurred on Sunday, May 25, 2008. Donald A. Hazelton, 89, of El Dorado Springs, MO, died when his vehicle struck another vehicle nearly head on. The crash occurred in Cedar County on Missouri Route N north of Caplinger Mills, MO. Hazelton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Cedar County Coroner Dr. Neale pronounced Hazelton dead at the scene. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle sustained moderate injuries; they were not wearing seat belts. The Stockton Fire Department and Cedar County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

Kansas City Police Department investigated a double fatality. No further information is available.

One fatality occurred on Interstate 70 at Salisbury in St. Louis. The crash was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. No further information is available.

One fatality occurred on Monday, May 26, 2008. The fatal crash occurred in Gasconade County on County Road Stolpe. Further information is unavailable. The report is being held pending notification of next to kin.


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