Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol are mourning the loss of a trooper who was killed in a weather-related accident near Eureka. Corporal Dennis Engelhard was investigating a minor accident on Interstate 44 when the driver of an SUV lost control of his vehicle and hit the officer.
It happened Christmas morning. The Highway Patrol says that while there was not a lot of snow on the roads there were icy patches that caused numerous crashes.
The death of Corporal Engehlard prompted the release of a statement from Governor Jay Nixon, who says his thoughts and prayers go out to Engelhard’s family. He has further asked all Missourians to remember Corporal Engelhard and his family in their prayers throughout the holiday season. Engelhard, a 10-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, was 49.