MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Troop F Headquarters - 2920 North Shamrock Road - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Sergeant Scott White
573-751-1000
F161002
October 24, 2016
EMPHASIS:
Patrol's Troop F To Award Honorary Trooper Certificates To Two Men
Captain Michael A. Turner, commanding officer of Troop F, announces a Holts Summit man and Columbia man will receive the Patrol’s Honorary Trooper Certificate. The Honorary Trooper Certificate is presented to a non-employee who performs in an exemplary manner, and under dangerous conditions to aid another, or who unselfishly assists a member in the performance of their duties. The men were nominated due to their actions at the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Callaway County. The presentation will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Westminster College, in the Mueller Leadership Hall, Marsh-Jones Room, Fulton, Missouri.
On August 21, 2016, troopers were called to a three-vehicle crash on Missouri Route J, near the intersection of Missouri Route F, in Callaway County. Mr. Jacob R. Ellis, Columbia, Missouri, and Mr. Adam G.H. Brunk, Holts Summit, Missouri, were traveling in separate vehicles and witnessed the crash. A preliminary investigation revealed the crash occurred as a 2005 Ford 500 was traveling south on Route J, lost control on a curve, crossed the centerline, and struck a 1991 Chevrolet pickup head-on. After the initial impact, the Ford 500 struck a 2013 Ford Focus. The Chevrolet pickup caught fire.
There were two occupants in the Chevrolet pickup. A female was sitting in the front passenger seat and rendered incapacitated due to severe chest pains. The male driver was sitting in the driver’s seat, but his left leg was pinned. He was unable to free himself from the burning vehicle.
Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk quickly rushed to the burning truck and began to assist the occupants. Mr. Brunk attempted to open the driver’s door, but it was jammed due to the collision. Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk then went to the passenger side door and helped remove the female from the pickup. Mr. Brunk walked the female away from the burning vehicle, where she could wait safely for emergency personnel to arrive on scene.
The fire had spread from under the pickup to along the driver’s door, and the driver’s left leg was still pinned. In the cab, flames were coming from the middle console. Together, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk entered the pickup through the passenger door, and worked at freeing the driver until they were able to pull him from the burning vehicle.
Shortly after the driver was freed by Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk, the cab of the pickup was engulfed in fire.
“The actions of Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk were exemplary,” said Captain Turner. “Both gentlemen upheld the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s motto of service and protection.”
For the original online traffic crash report, please go to:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=160545788
The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober.
“Don’t Violate The Trust.”
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