Local News – Monday, July 1st, 2019
An accident happened Sunday night at 9:10 in Dent County at the junction of Highway 72 and Route J that took the life of a Salem man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara driven southbound by 23-year old Megan Caesar of Salem, was stopped in the merge lane to turn onto Route J when a 2018 GMC Pickup driven northbound by 61-year old Cynthia Fruehauf of Greenbrier, Arkansas, crossed the center line and struck the Suzuki head-on. A passenger in the Suzuki, 72-year old Timothy Gibson of Salem was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead by Dr. White at 11:11 Sunday night. Fruehauf suffered serious injuries and was Air Evac’d to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Caesar suffered serious injuries as well and was Air Evac’d to the University Hospital in Columbia as was another passenger in the Suzuki, 61-year old James Gibson of Salem who also suffered serious injuries. Everyone but James Gibson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 2:20 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about six miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra driven northbound by 26-year old Rachel Farmer of Steelville traveled off the right side of the roadway. Farmer then overcorrected and the Elantra crossed the roadway where the Hyundai traveled off the left side of the road where the vehicle collided with an embankment. Farmer, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Ambulance to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. The Hyundai was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.
An accident happened in Texas County on Pigeon Creek Road about three miles north of Licking Friday night at about 10:30. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 17-year old Lucas Green of Licking traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Lucas suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and was removed later by the owner.
An accident occurred Thursday night at approximately 9:09 in Crawford County on Route V about two miles east of Davisville. According to the highway patrol report, a 1994 Ford F-150 driven by 36-year-old Jeremie Crocker of Viburnum, traveled off the right side of the roadway. Crocker overcorrected and the Ford traveled off the left side of the roadway. The truck then overturned ejecting Crocker and the Ford came to rest against a tree. Crocker suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Evac to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that Crocker was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.
An accident happened in Texas County Thursday afternoon on Highway 63 about three miles south of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup driven southbound by 60-year old Roger Scott of Sullivan, slowed to make a left hand turn and was struck from behind by a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by 60-year old Mark McDonald of Rolla. McDonald suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. The Ranger was totaled in the accident while the Dodge Ram sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Randy League will talk with the board about the Current River Blue Oval Rally that will be held in Salem on September 7th. The board will then hear the bids received by the city as they are looking for a used tractor. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report that will include setting a date for the nusiance workshop. The board will discuss Resolution #16-2019 that authorizes the mayor and the Salem Board of Aldermen to approve an agreement between the City of Salem and Dent County Collector, Dent County Commission and Dent County Treasurer for the collection of taxes due to the city for personal property, real estate and Salem Public Library. The board will address Bill #3422 that would create an ordinance that would allow the subdivision of 202, 204 and 206 West Fourth Street. The board will also address Bill #3423 that authorizes Mayor Nash to sign and execute a change order agreement between the city of Salem and Donald Maggi, inc for the old Middle School. The board will discuss trailer court licenses, give direction on the UTV requirements to City Clerk Mary Happel, and approve transformer repairs that have gone bad over the year that will be over $3,000. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The regular meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen will be tonight at 7:00 and the meeting is open to the public.