Local News – Tuesday, February 6th, 2018
An accident happened at 4:32 Sunday afternoon in Iron County on Highway 32 about seven miles west of Banner that took the life of a Salem woman. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Ford Explorer driven westbound by 32-year old Heather Sapaugh of Salem, went out of control on the ice covered roadway. The Ford traveled off the roadway, overturned and ejected Sapaugh from the vehicle. She was taken to the Iron County Medical Center in Pilot Knob by ambulance where she was pronounced dead at 6:56 Sunday evening. Passengers in the Ford included 10-year old Timothy Tennyson of Salem, two-year old Lucy Sapaugh of Salem and 13-year old Jessica Stringer of Salem. They all suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Iron County Medical Center by ambulance. According to the report, Sapaugh was not wearing a seat restraint while the children were in seat restraints. The Ford Explorer was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney Wrecker in Viburnum.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 4:30 in Texas County on Highway 32 at Hog Creek leaving four Salem individuals with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Nissan Frontier driven northbound by 47-year old Rodger Arvin of Salem traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign and overturned. Suffering minor injuries were the driver, Rodger Arvin, 41-year old Shannon Arvin of Salem, two-year old Rodger Arvin, Jr. of Salem and 10-year old Allena Crites of Salem. Everyone was taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital as first responders took Rodger Arvin and an ambulance transported the passengers. The Nissan sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Triangle Towing.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on Interstate 44 just east of Rolla that left two Rolla residents with injuries. According to then highway patrol, a 2011 Honda Civic, a 2012 Chrysler Minivan and 2006 Chrysler Pacific were stopped in traffic with a 2018 Kenworth Tractor slowing for the traffic. At that time, a 2013 Volvo Tractor driven by David Strojkovic of Mount Pleasant, Illinois, lost control on the snow covered roadway and struck the 2011 Honda Civic, the 2018 Kenworth Tractor Trailer and 2012 Chrysler Minivan that was being driven by 57-year old Pitts Lesesne of Rolla. The Chrysler Minivan then struck a 2013 Dodge Ram and the Ram then struck the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. Suffering serious injuries was a passenger in the Chrysler Minivan, 53-year old Paula Lesesne of Rolla and the driver, 57-year old Pitts Lesesne of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries. They were taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical by the Phelps County Ambulance. Everyone in the accident was wearing their seat restraint. All the vehicles came to rest blocking the eastbound lanes of Interstate 44. The Honda Civic and Chrysler Minivan were totaled, and the 2013 Volvo Tractor sustained extensive damage. The other vehicles had only minor damages and were driven from the scene. C&C Towing removed the other three vehicles with damages.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 3:45 in Laclede County on Interstate 44 eastbound at the 137.8 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by 53-year old Paul Garrett of Waynesville and a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by 46-year old Jimi Smith of Rolla were both stopped in traffic from a previous crash. While waiting, a 1999 Ford Econoline Van driven by 34-year old Kevin Baum of Waynesville, failed to stop and struck the Tahoe from behind which caused the Tahoe to strike the Silverado from behind. The Ford Econoline Van then went down an embankment. Suffering moderate injuries from the Tahoe were 33-year old Kayce Smith of Rolla and 13-year old Griffen Smith from the Tahoe. Baum, the drive of the Ford, also suffered moderate injuries in the accident. All three were taken to the Mercy Hospital in Lebanon. The Ford and the Tahoe were totaled in the accident while the 2004 Chevy Silverado sustained only minor damage and was driven from the scene. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints when the accident happened.
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District One and District Two Commissioners Dennis Purcell and Gary Larson both indicated work crews would be out checking all the chip and seal roads for slick spots and treat them if necessary. Crews will also be inspecting the snow removal and salt spreading equipment to make sure that is ready for the next storm system. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the GRO Visionary meeting held Monday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. He went on to say the regular commissioner meeting scheduled for Thursday will not be held due to the annual commissioner training. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office balanced with the assessor and collector offices on all the monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for January. She reported the first day to vote absentee in the April 3rd, 2018 Municipal Election will be Tuesday, February 20th in her office. You must have a legitimate reason if you want to vote early. She also wants to remind all voters that Missouri now requires a picture ID when you vote. That can be your Missouri Driver’s License, military ID, Passport or a state issued Missouri ID for non-drivers. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, February 12th at 9:00 AM at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.