News – Monday, August 12th 2024

An accident happened Saturday evening at 9:31 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 at the 228.4 mile marker that took the life of three people. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia operated by 27-year-old Brian Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana;  a 2018 Frieghtliner Cascadia operated by 39-year-old Komal Sharma of Ontario, Canada; and a 2008 Toyota Avalon operated by 25-year-old Bailey Snider of Rolla, were all stopped in traffic heading westbound due to a previous accident, when a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia driven westbound by 25-year-old Dalwinder Singh of Merced, California; and a 2017 Nissan Sentra driven westbound by 32-year-old Chelsea Smith of Steelville, approached the stopped traffic. First, the 2022 Freightliner Cascadia struck the 2008 Toyota, followed by the Nissan Sentra which struck the 2022 Freightliner. The 2022 Freightliner continued on and hit the 2018 Freightliner, which in turn struck the 2021 Freightliner. Pronounced dead at the scene by the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Ambulance personnel were Brian Brown of Rolla, Chelsea Smith of Steelville and a five-year-old male juvenile from Steelville that was in the Nissan driven by Smith. All three bodies were taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by Superior Transport Services. Brian Brown suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Sullivan EMS to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. All the vehicles except for the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia were totaled while the 2021 Freightliner sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by I-44 Towing. The 2022 Freightliner and Toyota Avalon were removed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing; the Nissan was removed by Hoffmann’s Towing, and the 2018 Freightliner was taken from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by Sullivan Police Department and the Franklin County Deputies. 

An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday morning at 10:45 on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 7490. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Nissan Rogue driven southbound by 71-year-old Tina Bunton of Licking, went off the right side of the roadway and struck a road sign. Bunton suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by the owner. Bunton was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem has issued an immediate boil water advisory that remains in effect today. City crews are currently working to bring wells back online, which may result in temporary water outages and turbidity as service is restored. Residents are advised to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, washing vegetables, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes for at least one minute, then let it cool before use. Bottled water can be used as an alternative. Important safety measures include discarding any ice made with tap water during the advisory period and avoiding water from appliances connected to water lines, such as refrigerator ice makers. Residents should use caution when bathing, especially with infants and young children, to avoid swallowing water. Pets should also be given boiled or bottled water. Home water filters should not be relied upon in place of boiling or using bottled water. It’s recommended to use disposable plates, cups, and utensils when possible and to keep boiled water in clean, covered containers. Any uncooked food, beverages, or ice cubes made with tap water during the advisory should be thrown away. The City of Salem will provide updates on the situation through local news outlets and official channels. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow all recommended safety precautions until authorities officially lift the advisory.

The Salem Senior Center will be closed on Monday, August 12th due to the city’s boil water advisory. The center, which provides meals and activities for local seniors, expects to reopen once the advisory is lifted. If you have any questions, you can call Aging Best at 1-800-369-5211.

MoDOT has announced road maintenance planned for Dent County for the week of August 12th. Roadside work will be taking place on Route K. Route CC will be undergoing pavement repairs from Route C to Route H. On Highway 19, potholes will be repaired from Route JJ to TT. One lane will remain open on all roads and crews will flag traffic through the work zones. MoDOT would like to remind motorists to travel with care and be alert for mowing, brush cutting, and slow-moving equipment conducting road maintenance.

Landowners, hunters, campers, and others in the outdoors need to be aware to help prevent wildfires such as refraining from outdoor burning near dry grass or when it is windy. They should also not drive off the road into high grass or leaves with a vehicle where the catalytic converter or muffler could come in contact with grass or leaves. This goes for ATV’s and UTV’s as well. Also campers should clear a generous area around fire rings and keep the campfires small and under control. DO NOT use accelerants to start the fire and make sure fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, are close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments. Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.