Fatalities and serious injuries resulting from car crashes for Memorial Day weekend in Missouri saw an increase to eight fatalities compared to the same holiday weekend in 2013 when there were six fatalities. The Highway Patrol reported 295 crashes compared to 274 in 2013. This year’s crashes also included 130 injuries and troopers arrested 146 statewide for driving while intoxicated. As well, the Patrol also investigated eight boat crashes, thankfully, no one died in those accidents. Twenty people were arrested for boating while intoxicated. Last year there were seven boating crashes that resulted in three injuries and a fatality. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the holiday weekend traffic incidents began at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 26.
Colonel Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrols said that out of the eight fatalities during the Memorial Day weekend, none of them were wearing a seatbelt. “We cannot emphasize it enough: Seat belts save lives. Please buckle up every time you are in a vehicle”
Friday, May 23
A 17-year-old Doniphan, Missouri man died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger ran off the roadway, overcorrected and overturned in the roadway. All vehicle occupants were ejected; none of them wearing a seat belt. This crash occurred in Ripley County on U.S. Highway 160. Another young man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and he overcorrected. The vehicle then slid off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The 23-year old California, Missouri man crashed in Moniteau County on Lookout Trail one mile east of String Creek Road.
Saturday, May 24
Three people were killed on Saturday. A 66-year old man and a 70-yera old woman both of Villa Ridge, Missouri died when the vehicle they were in traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The vehicle then overturned down an embankment and came to rest on the south outer road. Both the driver and the passenger were ejected in this accident in St. Louis County on Interstate 44.
A 27-year-old Springfield, Missouri man died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger swerved, struck a second vehicle, then traveled into the median and overturned. The crash occurred in Jasper County on Interstate 44. The driver of the vehicle and another passenger sustained serious injuries..
Sunday, May 25
Two people died Sunday. A 48-year old Springfield, Missouri man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway and struck a tree and a fence. This crash occurred in Greene County on Highway 160. A 17-year old Winfield, Missouri man died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line and struck the front left of another vehicle. The second vehicle then traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. This crash occurred in Lincoln County on Missouri Highway 47 east of Linns Mill Road. The two passengers in the victim’s vehicle sustained minor injuries and the driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injured.
Another young life ended in Laclede County on Missouri Highway 64 one mile west of Lebanon, Missouri. A 20-year-old Lebanon woman died when the vehicle she was traveling drove off the north side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, and then returned to the roadway. The vehicle then struck a bridge facing and overturned several times before coming to rest. A second person in the vehicle sustained serious injuries.
Local Missouri DWI’s and Crash Investigations
Locally, the Missouri Highway Patrol arrested 31 people for DWI- Driving While Intoxicated and investigated 72 car crashes. There were more than 635 speeding incidents according to local numbers. Last year, Missouri Highway Patrol reported six fatalities and arrested 129 for drunk driving state wide.
At The Cagle Law Firm, we represent seriously injured victims of motor vehicle accidents as well as the families of fatally injured victims. In the days following a tragic car accident, there are many questions and decisions, however, you should not make any big decisions while you are in a state of shock. Consulting a personal injury attorney does not guarantee that you must file a law suit. Often times, people think the only reason they would consult an attorney after an auto accident would be in the case of alcohol or a DWI/DUI. Of course, if you were injured in an accident that was caused by an impaired driver, you really should seek the advice of a personal injury attorney. However, consulting a personal injury attorney should be on your list of first actions after seeking medical treatment after any type of car accident. Depending on the factors involved in the accident, a personal injury attorney can best advise you of the sort of documentation you will need in the future and often, they can assist you in getting that information. Gathering as much information following the crash is important. If you have been involved in an accident, the issue of liability and cause/contribution may come up as a factor weeks and months down the road. Talk to a professional (800) 685-3302 or locally (314) 276-1681 so that your best interests are preserved and monitored. Consulting an attorney is often a very proactive action and can reduce the number of worries later such as recovery of evidence and thorough investigation.
A skilled car accident attorney knows that time is critical. Even though the statute of limitations is five years in Missouri (from the date of injury), frequently, waiting months or years can have a detrimental impact on your case. Seeking medical treatment and getting better physically is your first priority and should be your primary focus in the weeks and months following your injury. An expert accident attorney can advise you of actions that should be taken in order to assist you in getting the compensation that you will need if you are injured.
William, A.J. Memorial Day Weekend Accidents, Fatalities Increased KSDK.com 5/27/14
Eight Die in Memorial Day Weekend Crashes, None Wearing Seat Belts. KOLR10 News. 5/27/14
