Labor Day Weekend Crash Fatalities

By Zane T. Cagle | September 10, 2020 | Car Accidents, Featured

Thirteen people died due to traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day weekend according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol press release. This is an increase over the 2019 holiday weekend that produced nine fatalities. There were 274 traffic collisions resulting in 124 injuries, 145 DWI’s and 89 drug arrests over the last weekend.

In comparison, there were 284 traffic crashes including 118 injuries and four of the nine fatalities in 2019. Troopers made 154 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year.

Thus far in 2020, there have been 662 road fatalities which is up from 589 at this time last year according to the MSHP. However, traffic was reduced by 47% for at least two months during the beginning of the pandemic. Actually, high traffic rates have still not returned to their pre-pandemic rate. Logically, when fewer vehicles are on the roadway, motor vehicle crashes usually decrease. Unfortunately, we have not seen that decrease in crash numbers. Many of us are revamping how we work and spending a lot of time socially distancing. It’s frustrating. We are all sick of it. When you get the chance to take a road trip, you have to continually focus on safety including being alert and wearing a seat belt.

Thirteen fatalities in one weekend is the definition of tragic regardless of cause.

2020 Labor Day Weekend Was More Deadly than Last Year

Friday, September 4, 2020

A 46 year-old St. Louis man died in a 4-wheeler accident near Goose Creek lake. The victim’s 3 year-old passenger on the Polaris 4-wheeler suffered serious injuries after the 4 wheeler traveled off the left side of the road and hit a tree and concrete barrier. The crash occurred in St. Genevieve County around 6 p.m. on Lakeview Drive east of Ocelot Drive.

A 25 year-old Springfield, MO man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. A 16 year-old minor from Exeter, MO was also seriously injured in the crash around 6 p.m. on Farm Road 2175, approximately 5 miles west of Exeter in Barry County.

A 43 year-old Sedalia, MO man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The crash occurred in Pettis County on the KATY Trail west of Missouri Route BB around 6 p.m.

A 36 year-old Gerald, MO died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway, he over-corrected and the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The crash occurred on Route YY at Highway 135 in Franklin County at about 11 p.m.

Saturday, September 5, 2020

A 3 year-old passenger died when the driver of the vehicle lost control, ran off the left side of the roadway, crossed the median, struck another vehicle and overturned. The driver , a 42 year old Seymour, MO man and a 35 year-old Mansfield woman were seriously injured. The crash occurred around 5 p.m. in Wright County.

A 44 year-old Springfield, MO man was struck by a vehicle. No further details were available and the Springfield Police Department investigated the crash.

A Ferguson man was killed in a head-on collision when he swerved to avoid striking a car and struck another car head-on while on Lindbergh Boulevard. Forissant Police Department investigated the crash.

A 43 year-old man was walking in the driving lane of Interstate 70 when he was struck by a vehicle, then struck by a second vehicle. The crash occurred in Boone County at the 126.6 mile maker of I-70. Columbia Police investigated the crash.

Sunday, September 6, 2020

A 26 year-old Marion, IL man died when the Dodge Caliber he was driving failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree and a fence and came to rest against another tree. The crash occurred in Cole County on MO Highway 179 south of Claysville Road around 6 a.m.

A 75 year-old Hollister woman died when the driver of the golf car in which she was a passenger lost control, overturned and all three occupants were ejected. The crash occurred in Taney County on Emerald Point Drive south of Hollister. The driver and another passenger sustained serious injuries. The crash occurred at 7:45 p.m.

A 47 year-old Mountain Grove, MO man died when the Ford Ranger he was driving crossed the median, both southbound lanes of US Highway 63 and struck an embankment and a large tree before coming to rest. The crash occurred in Howell County around 8 p.m.

An 18 year-old Florissant man died after being struck by a car on Lewis and Clark Boulevard at Sunbeam Lane. The victim was a pedestrian and died at Barnes Jewish Hospital. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. in St. Louis County.

Monday, September 7, 2020

A 27 year-old woman of Little Rock, AR died when the vehicle in which she was a passenger crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on. The crash occurred around 5 p.m. in Ozark County on Missouri Highway 5 north of the Arkansas state line. The driver and a second passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries. Of the five people involved in the collision, four wear reported as wearing seat belts including the fatally injured woman.

Wear a Seat Belt

In many of the above listed crashes, seat belt usage was not 100%. Seat belts do not guarantee no one will be injured but safety belts do reduce the trauma and keep the occupants in the vehicle. In some instances such as golf carts and ATV’s, seat belts are not an option. Certainly, as a pedestrian, one does not have a seat belt. Overwhelming statistics confirm that usage of seat belts saves lives. In each of the collisions listed above, the actual results of the existence or failure to use has not been studied or released.

Seat belt laws are for our individual protection. Always wear your seat belt if even traveling a short distance. In many instances, crashes occur within a 30 mile radius of one’s home, thus always wear a seat belt whether traveling to the local grocery store or across country.

Riding a ATV & Motorcycles

ATV’s are very popular for short distances. They are fun. However, they can be extremely dangerous. Wearing a helmet while riding an ATV is always recommended to help reduce the number of brain injuries and fatalities. Helmet laws in Missouri have changed recently and individuals over the age 26 years of age can be exempt from wearing a protective helmet with proof of insurance. This relaxation of mandatory helmet laws need not be a relaxation of safety. If you are going to ride a motorcycle or ATV, please wear a helmet. The research on helmet usage is profound. In states where mandatory helmet laws were repealed, no state has seen a leveling or decrease in motorcycle injuries. In fact, every state that has repealed mandatory helmet laws has seen an increase in head injuries and fatalities.

If You Have Been Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Traffic Collision…….

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, you will need legal help. Our attorneys are available seven days a week for questions and free consultations. Not everyone we speak with needs an attorney. We would much rather give you the free information to assist in your claim than have you contact the insurance companies unprepared.

Call us toll free 1.800.685.3302 or locally 314.276.1681

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 IslandsEducation: 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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