News – Monday, November 3rd 2025

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 12:45 in Phelps County on I-44 Eastbound mile marker 189 exit ramp. According to the highway patrol report a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 16-year-old juvenile female from St. James attempted to overtake a 2009 Volvo VNL Semi Truck driven by a 60-year-old male from Detroit, MI. The Jeep failed to clear the lane before merging, causing the Volvo to strike the rear of the Jeep. The Jeep travelled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.  Two occupants were ejected from the Jeep. The Jeep’s driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Phelps Health Ambulance; she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Two juvenile female occupants a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old both from St. James suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Phelps Health Ambulance; it is unknown if they were wearing safety restraints.  A 16-year-old female juvenile from Rolla suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to University Hospital Columbia, she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. An 18-year-old female from St. James also suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital Columbia by Mercy Life Line. According to the highway patrol report she was not wearing a safety restraint. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The Volvo sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 8:55 in Phelps County on the north outer road just east of Highway V. According to the highwaypatrol report a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban driven by a 21-year-old male from Rolla was travelling westbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver was partly ejected. The driver suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia. The report goes on to say he was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. 

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” this evening starting at 5:30 and lasting until 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Rotary Room! Upcoming events, needs, and more will be discussed. The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501c3 non-profit that provides a new, free bed to children in need in our community who do not have a bed between the ages of 3 and 17. Mark your calendars and please join them, and new volunteers are welcome!! If you are not able to help physically, donations of new bedding are always welcome to help provide a good night’s sleep to the area children. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make checks payable to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and designate the MO-DENT County Chapter. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.