Local News – Monday, November 7th, 2022
A fatal accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:25 in Dent County on Highway 19 approximately four miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Chevrolet Suburban driven by 58-year-old Vickie Frits of Salem, was traveling northbound and slowed to make a turn and was struck from behind by a 2005 Kawaski Vulcan driven by 60-year-old Dennis Pewitt of Salem, who was also traveling northbound. On impact, Pewitt was ejected and struck by a 2001 Jeep Cherokee driven by 23-year-old Robert White of Salem, who was travelling southbound. Pewitt was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:58 by Coroner Ben Pursifull. His body was transported to the Wilson Mortuary by Pursifull. Pewitt was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Kawasaki sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Jeep and the Chevrolet sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Fire Department.
A fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon around 2:38 in Phelps County on Highway 63 just south of Phelps County Road 5030. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Honda Accord driven by 65-year-old David Dorrough of Rolla, was travelling northbound when he crossed the center line and struck the trailer of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 47-year-old Nathanial Brown of Newburg, who was travelling southbound. The Honda then struck a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 21-year-old Wyatt Varner of Rolla, who was travelling southbound. Dorrough was pronounced dead at Phelps Health in Rolla at 3:20 in Saturday afternoon. Varner suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch 6 to the University Hospital in Columbia. A passenger in the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, 20-year-old Pepper Morrison of Newburg, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac 18 to the University Hospital in Columbia. Dorrough and the two injured from the Silverado were all wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Honda and 2005 Chevrolet were totaled. The Honda was removed from the scene by D&D Towing and the 2005 Chevrolet by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The 2003 Chevy Silverado was driven from the scene. The Highway patrol was assisted by the Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office.
An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 1:58 in Phelps County on Highway 68 just east of County Road 3500. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by 35-year-old Christy Atkinson of Salem was traveling westbound, crossed the center line, overcorrected, travelled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a culvert. Atkinson suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by St. James EMS. The report goes on to say she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.
Representatives from Missouri State Parks recognize and thank all veterans and active-duty military members for their service by offering two promotions in honor of Veterans Day. To show appreciation, all veterans and active-duty military members camping at a Missouri State Parks campground on Friday, November 11th, will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. The veteran must be staying the night of Friday, November 11th, and show identification of veteran/active-duty military status at check-in to receive a free camping coupon. Missouri State Parks will accept several types of identification. Veterans and active military members are also invited on free tours of Missouri state historic sites Friday, November 11th, through Sunday, November 13th, with valid identification. In addition, Missouri State Parks offers a $2-per-night camping discount year-round at state park campgrounds for military members and veterans. Nightly camping rates vary from campground to campground, based on different criteria. Veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel – all of whom must show the proper valid military identification at time of check-in–will receive the military discount. For more information, visit mostateparks.com. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.