The long Thanksgiving Day weekend is getting underway, and a lot of Missourians are traveling to and from their favorite holiday destinations. The State Highway Patrol is keeping a close watch on the roads today and throughout the weekend. Captain Tim Hull says a lot of the accidents we see on the roads can be blamed on inattention and, of course, alcohol. Hull says all members of the Highway Patrol, except those on extended vacations, will be on duty at least part of the Thanksgiving weekend. The Highway Patrol’s holiday counting period for crashes runs from 6 o’clock Wednesday night through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. 19 people lost their lives and 676 were injured in 1,669 traffic crashes on Missouri’s roads during last year’s Thanksgiving weekend.
Turkey Game Heals Chiefs Players
The dinged up Chiefs could see the return of two more Pro Bowlers on offense this week against the Broncos. Trent Green returned last week versus the Raiders after sitting out eight games with post-concussion syndrome. Yesterday, tight end Tony Gonzalez and offensive lineman Brian Waters practiced and could play in tomorrow’s game.
Gonzalez sprained his shoulder in the Miami game two weeks ago. He missed the Raiders game but trotted onto the practice field Tuesday and caught passes while the other tight ends hit the blocking sled. His status is a game-time decision and would be a much needed improvement to a struggling Chiefs offense.
Brian Waters was carted off the field less than three weeks ago. His return for Thursday’s game is doubtful but it did not stop him from donning a clunky knee brace and practicing.
Driver Involved in Fatal Crash in Eureka Released from Jail
A truck driver who killed five people in a highway crash near Six Flags amusement park in Eureka has been released from jail after nine months. Thomas Miskel has pleaded guilty to five counts of involuntary manslaughter. The judge has sentenced him to a year in jail and five years probation. Miskel has been in jail since he was indicted in February. He’s been given three months off for good behavior and has been released. His truck failed to slow down when traffic stopped at an intersection near the amusement park and plowed into the basck of a minivan. Five people in the minivan were killed. A dozen other people in other vehicles were hurt. Miskel still faces a wrongful death lawsuit.
Supreme Court Orders New Trial for Man in Molestation Case
The State Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a northwest Missouri man convicted of molesting his three-year-old daughter. It’s the first time the Court has ruled on the handling of hearsay evidence from victims of child molestation in the wake of recent federal rulings. The Court says rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court since 2004 have held that a defendant has the right to cross-examine witnesses against him. The Court says Samuel Justus’s daughter did not testify at the trial but the judge did allow a videotaped statement from her and testimony from experts who interviewed her. The Court has overturned Justus’s ten-year prison sentence and has sent the case back to Daviess County for a new trial.
