Local News – Monday, August 13th, 2018
An accident happened Thursday afternoon at 2:32 on Highway 19 and Ida Drive in Crawford County that left a Steelville man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Buick Skylark driven northbound by 25-year old Kyle Meracle of Steelville, had stopped in traffic to make a left hand turn when the Buick was struck from behind by a 2017 GMC Denali Pickup driven northbound by 50-year old Nancy Quick of Owensville. The Buick traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Meracle suffered serious injuries and was taken by the North Crawford County Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Meracle was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The GMC Denali had minor damage and was driven from the scene.
An accident happened Thursday afternoon at 4:32 in Texas County about five miles east of Licking on Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 41-year old Gabriel Koch of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a fence and then a tree. Koch suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Koch was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing of Salem.
An accident occurred Friday night at 9:30 in Shannon County on Highway 19 about eight miles south of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 GMC Sonoma driven by 61-year old Berry L. Pryor of Salem, was traveling northbound when the GMC traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Pryor sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle. The Sonoma was totaled and towed from the scene by Whitakers. Pryor was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident.
An accident occurred Saturday morning at 8:11 on Joe Bal Road about two miles east of Kimberling City that left a Salem man with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven eastbound by 73-year old Gilbert E. Shaw, went off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole and traveled down an embankment after Shaw suffered a medical episode. Shaw suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. The Silverado sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Chris’ Towing of Lampe. Shaw was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 5:35 in Dent County on Dent County Road 6490 at Route K. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by 34-year old Janelle D. Blair of Salem, was traveling southbound when she lost control of the vehicle turning onto county road 6490 which is a gravel road. The Chevy ran off the left side of the roadway and Blair overcorrected, then the Trailblazer went off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and overturned partially ejecting the driver. Blair suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Blair was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Trailblazer was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon in Pulaski County at 1:20 on Highway 17 about three miles north of Waynesville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor driven southbound by 29-year old Roseanna Ramsrud of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway when Ramsrud was able to bring the vehicle back onto the road only to have it travel off the right side again where the Mitsubishi struck a ditch and overturned. Ramsrud suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Pulaski County Ambulance. Ramsrud was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Mitsubishi was totaled and removed from the scene by Jacks Towing.
As summer vacation comes to a close, students across Missouri are preparing to begin their 2018-2019 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers this brings a change in traffic patterns as school buses will be back on the road and parents will be taking their children to school. Add this to the other motorists on the road and it could affect the morning and afternoon commute. It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. In 2017, five people were killed and 401 people were injured in 869 traffic crashes involving school buses. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Also talk with them that using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway. School begins in Dent County on Thursday, August 16th.
The William Lynch Elementary School Open House will be held tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 followed by the Upper Elementary School Open House from 6:30-7:30. The Open House for the Salem Middle School will be held Tuesday from 4:30 until 6:00 with the Salem High School Open House from 6:00 until 7:30.