For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q05078
May 29, 2007
EMPHASIS: 11 People Die During Memorial Day Holiday


Eleven people died in traffic crashes over the 2007 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, 12 people were killed during the three-day weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 325 traffic crashes resulting in 139 injuries and nine fatalities during the counting period of 6 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2007 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 28, 2007. The Moberly Police Department investigated a double fatality traffic crash. During this same counting period, 227 people were arrested by the Patrol for driving while intoxicated. During the 2006 Memorial Day weekend, 208 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Of the nine fatalities investigated by troopers, four occurred in Troop A (Lee’s Summit area); Two occurred in Troop E (Poplar Bluff area) and Troop D (Springfield area); and one occurred in Troop G (Willow Springs area).

Five people died as a result of crashes occurring on Saturday, May 26, 2007. Kevin A. Underwood, 26, of McGee, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the roadway, through a guardrail, off the Castor River Bridge, and overturned coming to rest on its roof. Bollinger County Coroner Charles Hutchings pronounced Underwood dead at the scene. The crash occurred in Bollinger County on Missouri Highway 51 in Zalma. Underwood was not wearing a seatbelt.

Austin R. Beck, 16, of Higginsville, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger exited the right side of the road. The driver overcorrected twice, then the vehicle exited the right side of the roadway a second time, and struck a utility pole. The crash occurred in Lafayette County on the Interstate 70 North Outer Road one mile east of Missouri Route E. A second passenger sustained minor injuries in the crash; the driver was not injured. None of them were wearing a seat belt.

Brooke A. Hough, 16, of Carl Junction, MO, died when she lost control of the vehicle she was driving and the vehicle skidded off the right side of the roadway into a tree. Jasper County Coroner Jerry Neil pronounced Hough dead at the scene. Hough was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Jasper County on Fountain Road three miles northwest of Joplin, MO. Jasper County Sheriff’s Department assisted.


James H. Johnson, 85, of Wright City, MO, died after the driver of another vehicle lost control, went partially off the roadway, and overcorrected, causing this vehicle to skid sideways into Johnson’s oncoming vehicle. The crash occurred 13 miles east of Thayer, MO, on Missouri Route 142 in Oregon County. A passenger in Johnson’s vehicle sustained moderate injuries; the other driver sustained minor injuries. All three people were wearing seat belts. Johnson was pronounced dead at Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis, TN.

Zachary D. Hardin, 23, of Florissant, MO, died while driving an ATV. The driver of another ATV struck Hardin’s ATV in the rear, causing both drivers to be ejected. Hardin was pronounced dead by Iron County Coroner Tony Cole at the Iron County Hospital. The crash occurred in Iron County on Missouri Highway 49 in Sabula, MO.


Five people died on Sunday, May 27, 2007. Walter R. Rivers, 31, of Warrensburg, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a fence and a tree. The crash occurred after Rivers failed to yield to a Knob Knoster police officer. Two passengers in Rivers’ vehicle, Christian A. Lackey, 12, and Stephen K. Hayes, 13, both of Warrensburg, MO, also died in the crash. The crash occurred in Johnson County on Missouri Highway 23, south of Northeast 250 Road. Rivers, Lackey, and Hayes were all wearing seat belts. Johnson County Coroner Clark Holdren pronounced all three dead at the scene.

The Moberly Police Department investigated a double fatality. No further information is available.

One person died on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2007. James W. Potts, 73, of Dunnegan, MO, died after he failed to yield the right of way and pulled into the path of another vehicle. The crash occurred in Polk County on Missouri Highway 13 north of Bolivar, MO. A passenger in Potts’ vehicle sustained serious injuries. Neither was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in the other vehicle sustained moderate injuries. Both driver and passenger in that vehicle were wearing seat belts. Polk County Coroner Hoffer pronounced Potts dead.

NOTE: The 2007 Memorial Day holiday fatality total is subject to change due to late deaths.