Local News – Monday, August 26th, 2019

An accident occurred Sunday morning around 12:35 in Crawford County on Oak Hill Road about five miles north of Cuba. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Dodge Ram driven by 14-year old Lane Bridgeman of Cuba was traveling southbound when pickup began to skid. The Dodge traveled off the left side of the road before overturning. The vehicle then struck a tree before finally coming to rest. Lane was pronounced deceased at the scene by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake. Lane’s body was transported to the Hudson Funeral Home. The other three occupants of the vehicle all suffered serious injuries. They were 14- year old Luke Bridgeman of Cuba who was flown to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis by Air Evac, 12-year old Thomas Drew of Steelville who was flown by Arch Air to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and 12-year old Devon Watring was flown to Children’s Hospital in St Louis by Phelps Air. The driver and all occupants of the vehicle wear wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris & Son’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, North Crawford County Ambulance, Cuba Fire Department and the Bourbon Fire Department.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Sunday, August 11th, just after midnight, an officer located a 35-year-old female of Rolla near Macarthur and Acuff who had two active arrest warrants from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and for resisting arrest. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. The next afternoon, Monday August 12th, near 1:17, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed the victim lost a wallet containing identification and cash valued at $170.20 near the Salem Public Library. By use of security surveillance video, the officer was able to locate a 67-year-old male of Salem who found the wallet and took it. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for stealing and recovery of the wallet and cash. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that afternoon at approximately 3:17, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The onvestigation of the report led to the arrest of a 29-year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $44.74. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same evening at 6:58, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft from a storage unit. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown forcibly entered a storage unit and took a bicycle valued at $100.00. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation previously mentioned.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 6:06 in Phelps County on Route CC about three miles west of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro driven by 21-year old Caleb Gentry of Rolla, was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed. The Camaro traveled off the left side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned several times. Gentry suffered moderate inquires and was transported to Phelps Health Hospital by Phelps Health Ambulance. Gentry was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Camaro was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Sunday, August 11th, deputies traveled to the 4000 block of County Road 3220 to investigate a report of a non-injury traffic crash. Deputies arrived on the scene and during the course of the incident investigation the driver, a 56-year-old Salem man, fled the scene. Deputies began to pursue the vehicle and observed the man had wrecked in the 3000 block of County Road 3220. The man was observed running from the wreck into the nearby woods. Deputies gave chase after the subject and the man was apprehended. The man was arrested for a DWI, habitual driving while having his license revoked or suspended – a felony, and two counts of resisting arrest for a felony. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Then on Thursday, August 15th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 800 Block of East 3rd Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having is license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and was released. Also on the 15th, deputies traveled to the 2000 block of Highway 119 to assist with a medical call. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about an investigation.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon shortly before 5:00 in Phelps County on highway O approximately 4 miles south of Rolla. The highway patrol reports states that a 2009 Volkswagen Routan driven by Amy Hyatt of Rolla was traveling southbound on O when she pulled onto the shoulder in an attempt to make a U-turn. While making the turn, the vehicle traveled into the path of a 1996 Dodge D150 also being driven south by Gary Longgrear of Rolla. Hyatt was transported to Phelps Health by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. The Dodge was driven from the scene and the Volkswagen was removed from the scene by C & C Towing. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident according to the report.