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. John J. Hotz
Q5262015-1 (573) 526-6115

May 26, 2015
EMPHASIS: Six People Die In Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Crashes


Six people died in traffic crashes over the 2015 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, nine people were killed during the three-day weekend. During the counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 22, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2015, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 298 traffic crashes which included 98 injuries and five of the fatalities. The Fulton Police Department investigated the remaining fatality. Troopers also arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated. During the 2014 Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Patrol investigated 295 traffic crashes which included 130 injuries and eight of the nine fatalities. Last year, troopers arrested 146 people for driving while intoxicated.

There were zero boating fatalities over the 2015 Memorial Day weekend. Troopers investigated six boating crashes involving one injury. There were no drownings. Troopers arrested 15 people for boating while intoxicated. During the 2014 Memorial Day weekend, officers investigated seven boating crashes involving two injuries; no one drowned. Troopers arrested 20 people for boating while intoxicated last year.

Of the five traffic crash fatalities investigated by the Patrol, one occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area; and two each occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area, and Troop E, Poplar Bluff, area. [The Fulton Police Department investigated the sixth fatality.]

Three people died in traffic crashes on Saturday, May 23, 2015. George D. Jenkins, 49, of Fredericktown, MO, died when the motorcycle he was riding failed to negotiate a curve and crossed the center part of the roadway into the path of a vehicle. Dr. Kuziez pronounced Jenkins dead at Madison Medical Center. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Madison County on County Road 209 just west of Missouri Route OO.

Teddie R. Marrs, 75, of Pineville, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger drove into the path of a second vehicle. Dr. Shane Holland pronounced Marrs dead at Mercy Hospital. Marrs was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Both drivers sustained serious injuries; both were wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in McDonald County on U.S. Highway 71 two miles north of Jane, MO.

Albert J. Begley, 30, of Advance, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway, became airborne, and struck a creek embankment. Dr. William Bowling pronounced Begley dead at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. Begley was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Cape Girardeau County on Missouri Route K one mile east of Gordonville, MO.

One fatality occurred on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Levi F. Wheeler, 30, of Villa Ridge, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger traveled off the roadway, struck a tree, and caught fire. Medical Examiner Investigator Theresa Lustwerk pronounced Wheeler dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries. It is unknown whether or not Wheeler or the driver were wearing seat belts. The crash occurred in Franklin County on Brinkman Road near St. Mary’s Road.

Two fatalities occurred on Monday, May 25, 2015. Vicki L. Paulus, 58, of Republic, MO, died when the motorcycle she was riding traveled off the roadway and struck a tree. Christian County Coroner Brad Cole pronounced Paulus dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Christian County on Logan Ridge Road nine miles south of Ozark, MO.

William R. Rogers, 92, died when he drove into the path of another vehicle while attempting to cross the highway. The paramedic supervisor pronounced Rogers dead at the scene. It is unknown whether or not Rogers was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 54 at County Road 306. The Fulton Police Department investigated the crash.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic incident.

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