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
Q01311
January 3, 2011

EMPHASIS: Patrol Reports One Fatality During New Year’s Counting Period

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports one person died during the New Year’s holiday counting period from 6 p.m., Friday, December 31, 2010 to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 2, 2011. Troopers investigated 157 traffic crashes with 70 injuries and the fatality. In addition, troopers made 90 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

During the 2010 counting period (from 6 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2009 to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 3, 2010), troopers investigated 319 traffic crashes with 92 injuries and four fatalities. Statewide, there were five fatalities during the 2010 New Year counting period. In addition, troopers made 113 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year.

The fatality troopers investigated occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area, on New Year's Day in Greene County. Joseph W. Russell, 31, died when the vehicle he was driving struck a 2002 freightliner head-on. Both vehicles then traveled into the median and caught on fire. Russell was driving eastbound in the westbound lane of Interstate 44 just west of Springfield at the time of the crash. The driver of the freightliner was not injured. Russell was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Greene County Medical Examiner David Black pronounced Russell dead at the scene. Greene County Sheriff's Department, Willard Fire Department, Brookline Fire Department, and Missouri Department of Transportation also responded to the scene.

Note: The fatality statistic in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out.

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