NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q01091
January 5, 2009

EMPHASIS: Patrol Reports 13 Fatalities During New Year’s Counting Period

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 13 people died during the New Year’s holiday counting period from 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2008 to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2009. Troopers investigated 234 traffic crashes, which included 89 injuries. Troopers investigated 11 of the fatalities; the Poplar Bluff Police Department investigated one fatality, and the St. James Police Department investigated one fatality. In addition, troopers made 131 driving while intoxicated arrests during the New Year’s counting period.

During the 2008 counting period, the Patrol investigated 333 traffic crashes, which included 104 injuries and six fatalities. [Note: There were 10 fatalities over the 2008 New Year’s counting period.] Troopers also arrested 123 people for driving while intoxicated last year.

Of the 11 fatalities troopers investigated this year, four occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area. Three fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area. One fatality occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit area, the Troop D, Springfield area, the Troop F, Jefferson City area, and the Troop H, St. Joseph area.

No fatalities occurred on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, during the New Year’s counting period.

Three people died in traffic crashes on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2009.

Richard L. Vaughn, 50, of St. James, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. The vehicle ran off the roadway, struck a curb, and then struck a pole. Vaughn was not wearing a seat belt. He was partially ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Phelps County in the 300 block of Jefferson (Missouri Highway 68) in St. James, MO. The Phelps County Coroner pronounced Vaughn dead at the scene. The St. James Police Department investigated the crash.

Joshua T. Gregg, 20, of Warrensburg, MO, died when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger lost control of the vehicle in a curve. The driver then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to re-enter the roadway, travel off the right side of the road, and then overturn. The vehicle struck a fence and a pole. Gregg was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The driver sustained minor injuries. The crash occurred in Johnson County on Route Y at County Road SE 171. Dr. Flores at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City pronounced Gregg dead.

Bryan J. Frump, 26, of Defiance, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve to the right. The vehicle exited the left side of the roadway and overturned several times before coming to rest on its wheels. Frump was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, which occurred in St. Charles County at Route D west of Missouri Highway 94. Dr. Karre of Progress West Hospital pronounced Frump dead.

Two people died in traffic crashes on Friday, January 2, 2009. Richard L. Harris, 45, of Purdy, MO, died when the truck he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Harris was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Newton County at Route DD, three miles southeast of Seneca, MO. Newton County Coroner Mark Bridges pronounced Harris dead at the scene.

Gailon V. Green, 45, of Plattsburg, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head on. Green was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, which occurred in Clinton County on Missouri Highway 116 west of Lathrop, MO. The driver of the vehicle Green’s vehicle struck was wearing a seat belt. She sustained serious injuries. A passenger in that vehicle, who was also wearing a seat belt, sustained moderate injuries. Clinton County Coroner Kathy Little pronounced Green dead at the scene.

Seven people died on January 3, 2009. Valerie D. Dockery, 40, of Poplar Bluff, MO, died after she stepped into the path of a vehicle. The crash occurred in Butler County on Missouri Highway 67 in Poplar Bluff. The driver of the vehicle that struck Dockery was not injured in the crash. Dockery was pronounced dead at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Poplar Bluff Police Department investigated this traffic crash.

Charles L. Wells, 82, of Bonne Terre, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving pulled into the path of another vehicle and was struck in the driver’s side door. Wells was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, which occurred in St. Francois County on Route K at Hillsboro Road. Dr. Mark Hassen pronounced Wells dead at Mineral Area Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was wearing a seat belt. He sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Benjamin Stigall, 55, of Poplar Bluff, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway, he overcorrected, the vehicle then ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Stigall was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Dunklin County on Missouri Route J west of Malden, MO. Dunklin County Coroner Jack Adkins pronounced dead at the scene.

James T. Pate 68, of Sunrise Beach, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a curb, and became airborne. Pate was ejected from the motorcycle. The crash occurred in Camden County on Missouri Route TT east of Route F.

A triple fatality traffic crash occurred in Ripley County. The crash is still being investigated. More information will be made available pending notification of next of kin.

One fatality traffic crash occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Troy W. Montgomery, 22, of Carrollton IL, died when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger failed to stop for a red light, started to turn left, and the vehicle was struck. The crash occurred in St. Charles County on Missouri Highway 94 at Pralle Lane. The driver and two other passengers in the first vehicle sustained serious injuries. It is unknown whether the four people, including Montgomery, were wearing seat belts. Dr. Sakabu at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center pronounced Montgomery dead. The driver of the vehicle that struck Montgomery’s vehicle sustained moderate injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.


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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