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

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December 2, 2024

Emphasis: Patrol Reports Four Fatalities; No Drownings, Boating Crashes Over 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports four people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 1, 2024. There were no boating crashes or drownings.

During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2024 (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 362
Injuries ─ 120
Fatalities ─ 4
DWI Arrests ─ 106

[During the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 431 traffic crashes, which included four fatalities and 138 injuries. Statewide, nine people died and 483 people were injured in 1,342 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 103 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.]

Troopers investigated all four of the traffic crash fatalities in 2024. One traffic fatality occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, MO, area; One traffic fatality occurred in Troop D, Springfield, MO, area; One traffic fatality occurred in Troop G, Willow Springs, MO, area.; One traffic fatality occurred in Troop F, Jefferson City, MO, area

One traffic fatality occurred on November 27, 2024. An adult male, 44, of Monett, MO, died after the vehicle he was driving crossed the center of the roadway and struck another vehicle head on. The victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Barry County on MO 37, south of Route B. Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle sustained serious injuries; he was not wearing a seat belt. The Patrol's Major Crash Investigation Team #3 investigated the crash.

There were no traffic fatalities that occurred on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024.

There were no traffic fatalities that occurred on November 29, 2024.

Two traffic fatalities occurred on November 30, 2024. An adult male, 75, of Winfield, MO, was a passenger when another vehicle crossed into the path of the vehicle he was occupying. The crash occurred in Lincoln County on MO 79, north of Route C. The victim was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. David Uhls pronounced the victim deceased at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake St. Louis. The driver of the vehicle the victim was occupying sustained moderate injuries and was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle received minor injuries and was wearing his seat belt. The Patrol's Major Crash Investigation Team #2 investigated the crash.

Also on November 30, an adult male, 47, of Columbia, MO, was traveling westbound on Interstate 70, near the 121 mile-marker in Boone County when he lost control of his vehicle. The victim's vehicle traveled off the roadway, struck a rock bluff and overturned, ejecting the victim. The victim and his vehicle were subsequently struck by another vehicle. Boone County Forensic Death Investigator Kaitlyn Kremer pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. The victim was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

One traffic fatality occurred on December 1, 2024. An adult male, 25, of Mammoth Springs, AR, died when the vehicle he was a passenger in ran off the roadway and overturned, partially ejecting him. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Oregon County on MO 142, seven miles NW of Myrtle. The victim was pronounced at the scene by Oregon County Coroner Tom Clary. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries; he was not wearing his seat belt.

There were zero boating crashes, zero boating fatalities, zero drownings, and zero boating while intoxicated arrests reported during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

NOTE: The statistics in this news release are preliminary and subject to change if late deaths occur, or if other agencies report traffic crashes after this news release is published.

Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

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