Local News – Wednesday, September 9th, 2020
A one vehicle accident happened Monday night around 10:20 in Dent County on Dent County Road 5013 about three miles southeast of Salem. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2008 Yamaha 1000 being operated by 43-year old William Sweigard of Salem, was traveling west when the Yamaha struck some gravel in the roadway. Sweigard lost control and traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment and was ejected from the Yamaha. Sweigard suffered moderate injuries and was first transported by Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital before being transferred to University Hospital in Columbia by AIR EVAC helicopter. The Yamaha sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. Sweigard was wearing safety devices when the accident happened.
The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports between August 25th and the August 27th. On Tuesday, August 25th around 5:00 in the afternoon, an officer conducted a traffic stop for knowing the driver had a suspended license near the intersection of Main and Franklin streets. During the traffic stop, the suspended driver’s license was confirmed through dispatch and a 21-year-old Salem male was arrested and later released on summons. Later that same evening, at an officer conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations near the intersection of Nelson and Pace streets. During the investigation, it was discovered the driver had active warrants from the Rolla Police Department. It was also found the driver was in possession of syringes that field tested positive for methamphetamine and had a suspended driver’s license. The 26-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated on the warrants. Charges are being requested for the driving while having his license suspended and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. On the morning of August 26th at 9:22, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Bryan Street for a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported that between 9:00 in the evening on August 25th and 9:00 the morning on the 26th, someone had taken a dark green 1996 Mazda 626. This incident is still under investigation. At approximately 1:06 on the afternoon of August 26th, an officer was dispatched to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for a report of property damage. It was reported that someone had thrown a rock through the window on the north side of the building. The estimated cost to repair the window was $1000. Video surveillance of the incident was obtained and the incident is still under investigation. During the evening of August the 27th near 9:15, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of west Ninth Street for a report of a theft from a shed. It was reported that a window had been broken out of the shed and an 18” Stihl chainsaw was taken valued at $175. This incident is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the following Labor Day Holiday statistics. Thirteen people died in traffic crashes during the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year, there were nine fatalities. The 2020 counting period for the Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m., Friday, September 4, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2020. The Missouri State Highway Patrol traffic statistics included 274 crashes resulting in 124 injuries and 13 statewide fatalities. There were 145 DWI arrests and 89 drug arrests. The MSHP boating statistics showed there were 15 boating crashes resulting in six injuries and no fatalities. There were 7 boating while intoxicated arrests and 12 drug arrests. There were no drownings reported. Troopers investigated 10 of the 13 fatal traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend. The remaining three fatalities were investigated by the Florissant Police Department, Columbia Police Department, and the Springfield Police Department.