NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q12081 (573) 526-6115

December 1, 2008
Emphasis: 11 Fatalities Over 2008 Thanksgiving Holiday


The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 11 people died during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2008. The Highway Patrol investigated all of these fatality traffic crashes. Troopers investigated 488 traffic crashes including 143 injuries and the 11 fatalities during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, troopers arrested 114 people for driving while intoxicated. In 2007, the Patrol investigated 390 traffic crashes, which included 128 injuries. Troopers arrested 115 people for driving while intoxicated in 2007. (Statewide, there were 10 people killed in Missouri during the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday.)

Three of the 11 fatalities occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area. Two fatalities occurred in each of the following areas: Troop C, St. Louis, Troop E, Poplar Bluff, Troop H, St. Joseph, and Troop I, Rolla, area.

Four fatalities occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. Corey L. Martin, 17, of Nevada, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving was struck head on by another vehicle attempting to pass. Emily A. Debrine, 15, of Nevada, MO, a passenger in Martin’s vehicle, also was killed in the crash. Neither Martin nor Debrine were wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle that struck Martin’s vehicle sustained moderate injuries. He was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Vernon County, on U.S. Highway 54, six miles west of Nevada, MO. Vernon County Coroner David Ferry pronounced Martin and Debrine dead at the scene.

Gilberto Colon, 24, of Puerto Rico, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head on. Colon was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle, Anita M. Greeley, 52, of Braddyville, IA, also was killed in the crash. She was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Nodaway County on U.S. Highway 71, three miles north of Wilcox, MO. Nodaway County Coroner Vince Shelby pronounced Colon and Greeley dead at the scene. The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.

Four fatalities occurred on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2008. Stefany A. Tillman, 24, of Hayti, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the right side of the roadway and she overcorrected, causing the vehicle to run off the left side of the roadway and overturn. Tillman was not wearing a seat belt; she was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Pemiscot County on Interstate 155, one mile south of Hayti. Pemiscot County Coroner Jim Brimhall pronounced Tillman dead at the scene.

James L. Goodrich, 52, of Crocker, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway and collided with the ditch. The crash occurred in Pulaski County on Missouri Highway 17, four miles north of Waynesville, MO. Dr. Holter pronounced Goodrich dead at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Glenda K. Dowler, 59, of Lee’s Summit, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the right side of the road and she overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the roadway, then slid off the right side of the road and overturned. Dowler was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Phelps County on Missouri Highway 68, two miles north of St. James, MO. A passenger in Dowler’s vehicle sustained minor injuries; both were wearing a seat belt. Phelps County Coroner Larry Swinfard pronounced Dowler dead at the scene. St. James Fire and Ambulance also responded to the scene.

Eliaser B. Morales, 46, of Hazelwood, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and traveled off the roadway. The vehicle struck an embankment and spun clockwise before it came to rest. Morales was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in St. Louis County on Interstate 270, west of Missouri Route 367. Medical Examiner Joseph Lebb pronounced Morales dead.

One fatality occurred on Saturday, November 29, 2008. Lonnie R. Whiteaker, 59, of Stockton, MO, died when he drove his vehicle off the roadway, went through a shallow ditch, and struck a fence and some small trees. Whiteaker was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in St. Clair County on Missouri Route W, three miles east of Blackjack, MO. St. Clair County Coroner Randy Sheldon pronounced Whiteaker dead at the scene.

Two fatalities occurred on Sunday, November 30, 2008. Michael L. Landon, 30, of Bloomsdale, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway. He overcorrected, causing the vehicle to travel off the other side of the road and strike a rock bluff before overturning. Landon was not wearing a seat belt; he was ejected. The crash occurred in Jefferson County on Interstate 55 at mile marker 172. Medical Examiner Donna Thomas pronounced Landon dead.

Linda S. Beel, 55, of St. Louis, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and overturned. Beel was not wearing a seat belt; she was ejected and the vehicle came to rest on top of her. A passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Madison County on U.S. Highway 67, three miles south of Fredericktown, MO.


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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