MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Collin Stosberg
(816) 622-0800 ext. 3149
A2012-31
August 20, 2012

EMPHASIS: Incident At Missouri State Fairgrounds


At approximately 8:15 p.m., on August 19, 2012, during a sanctioned sprint car event at the State Fair Speedway, a 15-year-old driver from Carrollton, Missouri, suffered serious injuries when his vehicle overturned several times while negotiating a curve during the race. He was transported by Air-Evac helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, for treatment.

At approximately 9 p.m. during an exhibition benefit race, a driver lost control of his vehicle as a result of a multiple vehicle crash during a heat race. His vehicle then traveled over a guardrail barrier and through a safety fence, then struck five spectators who were standing behind the fence in the infield/pit area. The vehicle was operated by Tyson Russell, 25, of Crocker, Missouri. He was not injured. The following injured spectators were identified as:

-- Mark C. Quisenberry, 57, of Columbia, Missouri, sustained serious injuries and was transported by Eagle 5 helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
-- Lela A. Wood, 34, of California, Missouri, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by Staff For Life helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
-- Jessalin A. Degonia, 27, of California, Missouri, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, Missouri.
-- Barry L. Smith, 46, of Florence, Missouri, and Archie L. Simpson, 67, of Columbia, Missouri, both sustained minor injuries. Both were treated and released at the scene.


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