For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
120755
December 26, 2007
EMPHASIS: Patrol Reports Seven Traffic Fatalities Over Christmas Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports seven people died during the Christmas holiday counting period--from 6 p.m., Friday, December 21, to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 25, 2007. During this year’s 102-hour counting period, the Patrol investigated 499 traffic crashes, which included 142 injuries and four of the seven fatalities. Troopers arrested 92 people for driving while intoxicated. During last year’s counting period, which was 78 hours in length, troopers investigated 228 traffic crashes including 94 injuries. In 2006, troopers arrested 113 people for driving while intoxicated during the Christmas counting period. There were six traffic fatalities during the 2006 Christmas holiday weekend.

The Patrol investigated four fatalities, Crystal City Police Department investigated one fatality, and St. Louis City Police Department investigated two fatalities. One fatality occurred in each of the following areas: Troop A, Lee’s Summit, Troop D, Springfield, and Troop E, Poplar Bluff. Four fatalities were reported in the Troop C, St. Louis, area.

There were no fatalities reported during the counting period on Friday, December 21, 2007.

Two people were killed in traffic crashes on December 22, 2007. Garry G. Robinett, 57, of Bowling Green, MO, was killed when the vehicle he was driving ran off the roadway, he overcorrected, drove across the centerline, overcorrected again, ran off the right side of the roadway, and struck a tree. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 62 west of Charleston, MO, in Mississippi County. Robinett was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker pronounced Robinett dead at the scene.

Vince C. Picone, 62, of Kansas City, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving slid off the right side of the roadway and struck a sign. The crash occurred on Interstate 435 at Shoal Creek in Clay County. Picone was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. Dantobasso pronounced Picone dead at Liberty Hospital.

One person was killed on December 23, 2007. Daniel D. Lottmann, 16, of Washington, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger slid off the roadway and overturned, coming to rest on its right side. Lottmann was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle and another passenger sustained serious injuries; they were wearing seat belts. The crash occurred on Country Club Road east of Missouri Route A in Franklin County. Washington Area Ambulance personnel pronounced Lottmann dead.

Three fatality traffic crashes occurred on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2007. Crystal City Police Department investigated one fatality crash. No additional information is available at this time.

Timothy Perfater, 22, was killed when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and struck a concrete barrier. The vehicle then overturned. It is unknown whether or not Perfater was wearing a seat belt. Medical personnel at the scene pronounced Perfater dead. The crash occurred on Gravois Road and was investigated by St. Louis City Police Department.

Kenneth A. Kissell, 45, of St. Peters, MO, was killed when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway and struck a concrete traffic signal. The crash occurred on Gravois Road. Kissell was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash was investigated by St. Louis City Police Department.

One person was killed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2007. Jeremy K. Sill, 37, of Diamond, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head-on. Sill was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred west of Diamond on Missouri Highway V in Newton County. The driver of the other vehicle was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Newton County Coroner Lee Ireland pronounced Sill dead at the scene.


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 was sent out.

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