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
(573) 526-6115

Q09092
September 8, 2009
EMPHASIS: Seven People Die In Traffic Crashes Over Labor Day Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports seven fatalities during the 2009 Labor Day holiday. Last year, there were nine fatalities. The 2009 counting period ran from 6 p.m., Friday, September 4, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2009. During this period, the Patrol investigated 308 traffic crashes, which included 130 injuries and six fatalities. The St. Louis City Police Department investigated one fatality. Troopers made 149 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2009, compared to 161 arrests last year. (Note: In 2008, troopers investigated 257 traffic crashes, which included 128 injuries and four of the nine fatalities.)

Of the six fatalities troopers investigated, three occurred in the Troop F, Jefferson City area, and one occurred in each of the following areas: Troop C, St. Louis, Troop D, Springfield, and Troop E, Poplar Bluff.

One person died in a traffic crash on Friday, September 4, 2009. Dennis V. Johnson, 60, of Warrenton, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, struck two trees, and overturned. Johnson was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected. The crash occurred in Warren County on Missouri Route EE south of Pendleton Creek Road. Warren County Medical Examiner Roger Mauzy pronounced Johnson dead.

Four people died in traffic crashes on Saturday, September 5, 2009. Janice K. Spear, 55, of Sedalia, MO, died when the driver of the car in which she was a passenger attempted a U-turn and was struck by another vehicle. The crash occurred in Morgan County on Missouri Highway 5 one mile south of Versailles, MO. Spear, the driver, and two other passengers were wearing their seat belts. The driver and other passengers sustained moderate injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash.

Jeffrey B. Harris, 47, of Lebanon, MO, and Bradley M. Arndt, 29, of Iberia, MO, died when the vehicle Harris was driving crossed the center line and struck the vehicle Arndt was driving head on. Harris was not wearing a seat belt; Arndt was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Miller County on Missouri Highway 42 just west of Blackmore Road. Miller County Coroner Callahan pronounced both drivers dead.


Shaundell D. Anderson, 28, of Portageville, MO, died after he was struck by a vehicle while walking in the roadway. The driver of the vehicle was not injured in the crash and was wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in New Madrid County on Missouri Highway 162 east of Portageville. New Madrid County Deputy Coroner Ralph Barnwell pronounced Anderson dead at the scene.

One person died on Sunday, September 6, 2009. Virgil T. Henson, 61, of Halltown, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and struck a pole. Henson was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Greene County on Missouri Highway 266 just west of Springfield. Medical Examiner pronounced Henson dead at the scene.

One person died on Monday, September 7, 2009. Cody Bounds, 24, of St. Louis, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. The crash occurred on South Tucker at Hickory Street in St. Louis. Bounds was ejected from the vehicle. The St. Louis City Police Department investigated the crash.

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