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
Q112910 (573) 526-6115

November 29, 2010
Emphasis: Four Fatalities Over 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday


The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports four people died during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2010 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2010. The Highway Patrol investigated all four fatality traffic crashes. Troopers investigated 364 traffic crashes, which included 114 injuries. In addition, troopers arrested 144 people for driving while intoxicated. [During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday, troopers investigated 333 traffic crashes, which included 126 injuries. Statewide, there were six fatalities over the 2009 Thanksgiving weekend. In addition, troopers arrested 135 people for driving while intoxicated in 2009.]

Two of the fatality traffic crashes investigated by troopers occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area. The other fatalities occurred in the Troop B, Macon area, and Troop F, Jefferson City area.

One fatal traffic crash occurred on Wednesday, November 24, 2010. Jimmie L. Stelling, 58, of Exeter, MO, was killed when the vehicle he was driving ran off the road and overturned. The crash occurred in Barry County on Missouri Highway 76 at Ridgeley. Stelling was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected. The vehicle then caught fire. Dr. Cardwell, Cox South Hospital, pronounced Stelling dead at the hospital.

One fatal traffic crash occurred on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010. David M. Easley, 31, of Novinger, MO, died when after passing two vehicles, he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. He traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, crossed over to the left side of the roadway, and began sliding. His vehicle returned back to the roadway and overturned several times before traveling off the right side of the roadway and coming to rest on its top. The crash occurred in Adair County on Missouri Route O two miles north of Novinger. Easley was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the vehicle. Adair County Coroner Brian Noe pronounced Easley dead at the scene.

One fatality occurred on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Nickolas C. Riga, 21, of Edwards, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle then struck an embankment and continued to overturn before striking a tree. The crash occurred in Camden County on Missouri Route FF north of Lake Road FF-17. Riga was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Camden County Coroner Bart Simms pronounced Riga dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries. It is unknown whether or not he was wearing a seat belt.

One fatality occurred on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Trevor K. Waugh, 25, of Marshfield, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, and overturned. The crash occurred in Dallas County on Missouri Route M at Missouri Route W north of Marshfield, MO. Waugh was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. Dallas County Coroner Lamont Swanson pronounced Waugh dead at the scene.

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 is sent out.

(###)