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
Q12262013-1 (573) 526-6115

December 26, 2013
EMPHASIS: Patrol Reports One Fatality During Christmas Holiday Traffic Crash Counting Period

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports one person died during the Christmas holiday counting period--from 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2013 to 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, December 25, 2013. During this year's shorter, 30-hour counting period, the Patrol investigated
53 traffic crashes, which included 18 injuries and the one fatality. In addition, troopers arrested eight people for driving while intoxicated. There were no boating crashes or drownings during the Christmas 2013 counting period.

Last year's 102-hour counting period included six fatalities and 342 injuries. Over the 2012 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 239 traffic crashes and arrested 130 people for driving while intoxicated.

The lone fatality occurred on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013, in the Troop F, Jefferson City, area. Kenneth E. Parsons, 63, of Osage Beach, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line, ran off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, became airborne, struck a tree, and overturned. Parsons was partially ejected. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway on its top. Miller County Coroner Rick Callahan pronounced Parsons dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A passenger in Parsons' vehicle sustained serious injuries and was taken to University Hospital by Staff for Life. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on Midway Road just north of Cave Road in Miller County.

The Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Click It 4 Life!

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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