Eight Fatalities Across Missouri Over New Year’s Holiday

By Zane T. Cagle | January 9, 2019 | Car Accidents, Drunk Driving, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Eight Road Fatalities over New Year’s Eve Holiday

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were eight fatalities across Missouri over the 2019 New Year’s holiday weekend. Of those fatalities, two fatalities were pedestrian traffic fatalities. Of the six remaining car crash fatalities, all six were reported as not wearing seat belts. An additional fatality was investigated by the Columbia Police Department in Columbia, Missouri.

The holiday counting period began at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2019. There were a total of 352 crashes across Missouri and there were injuries suffered in 112 of those crashes.

Arrests for DUI

There were 127 people arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Drilling down into arrests through the MSHP also lists approximately 14 possession related charges on New Year’s Eve and six possession related charges on New Year’s Day. Several arrests included careless and imprudent driving and speeding. Driving under the influence is a criminal offense, and adding careless and imprudent driving endangers all other travelers. As well, speeding is a main contributing cause of many motor vehicle collisions.

Fatal Crashes and Failure to Wear Seat Belt

While seat belts are not guaranteed to keep any occupant from being injured, they do save lives. After a fatal crash, it is little comfort to friends and family whether or not their loved one was wearing a seat belt. However, seat belts do save lives. Among these horrible tragedies this holiday season, every fatally injured person was reported as not being properly restrained. Again, wearing a seat belt does not guarantee an occupant from being injured or killed, but failure to wear a seat belt greatly increases the likelihood of a serious injury or death. Inclement weather and other driver’s bad driving decisions make our roadways dangerous as it is. To avoid a crash, we each have to drive defensively and take pre-cautions such as wearing a seat belt.

Missouri is one of the lowest seat belt compliant states in spite of seat belt laws. Seat belt usage across the United States is about 90.1 percent, yet in Missouri, the usage rate is only about 79 percent. Missouri and few other Midwestern states are jut a few states where people still do not buckle up in spite of laws, education and public awareness campaigns.

December 28, 2018

A 39 year-old man of Mountain View, Missouri died after his Chevy Silverado ran off the roadway, overturned several times and come to a rest on its top in the roadway. MSHP reported he was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. and was the first fatality of the holiday.

December 30, 2018

A 40 year-old Spickard, Missouri woman was killed when her Pontiac failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and struck a culvert, causing the vehicle to overturn. The victim was ejected and reported as not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Missouri 13 Highway at MO Route FF.

A 16 year-old Urbana, Missouri girl died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle was listed as moderately injured and neither of the occupants were wearing seat belts. The crash occurred in Hickory County.

December 31, 2018

A 34 year-old Eden Prairie, MN woman was killed when she was a passenger in a Nissan Rouge as it traveled off the east side of Interstate 35 into the median and struck an emergency cross over and became airborne, impacted the grand and overturned multiple times. Additionally, a 1 year-old passenger was injured and the driver, a 36 year-old male was not reported as injured. The MSHP reported that the driver and the baby were both wearing safety restraints, but the fatally injured woman was not restrained. The crash occurred at 6:50 a.m. on I-35 in Daviess County.

At 1:10 p.m. in Christian County, a 37 year-old Nixa, Missouri woman was killed when her vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center line and struck a propane truck in a head-on crash. MSHP reported the victim was not wearing a seat belt and the driver of the propane truck was wearing a seat belt and was not reported as injured.

At 8:43 p.m., a 53 year-old Steelville, MO pedestrian was struck and killed as he was walking eastbound in the westbound lane of Highway 8. The driver and occupant of the Chevy Impala that struck the pedestrian were listed with minor injuries. The crash occurred on Highway 8, 1.3 miles east of Steelville, Missouri.

January 1, 2019

A 27 year-old Festus, Missouri man was fatally injured when his Honda Accord crossed the center line and the front of a Honda Odyssey struck the left side of the Accord. Both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Festus driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was listed as not wearing a seat belt. A 48 year-old Hillsboro driver of the Odyssey was listed as moderately injured and wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. on southbound Mapaville Hematite Road, North of Highway P in Jefferson County.

A 44 year-old Lake Ozark man died after he was struck by a vehicle while he was standing in the right lane of U.S. Highway 63 near Prathersville Road in Columbia, Missouri. The driver of that vehicle was not injured and the Columbia Police Department is still investigating.

Serious Car Crashes often Cause Serious Injuries and Fatalities

Serious motor vehicle collisions occur when driving errors are made, rules of the road are violated (failure to yield, speeding, etc) and drivers are inattentive. You may be a very attentive and safe driver, yet someone crashes into you. You should know what to do in advance. You have a fire-escape plan for your home and business, yet a car crash is statistically far more likely to occur that a fire; but more often than not, no one has a plan after a car crash.

We offer steps to take after a crash, however, we will happily walk you through the steps and a free consultation.

If you are injured, you will probably need an attorney. We offer free consultations to answer your questions Before you talk with any insurance adjusters.

Call us toll free 1.800.685.3302 or locally 314.391.5220

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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