The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports five people were killed on Missouri roads during the New Year’s holiday counting period, which runs from 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2.
Troopers investigated 163 traffic crashes with 75 injuries and 5 fatalities. In addition, troopers made 114 arrests for driving while intoxicated.
During last year’s New Year’s holiday counting period, troopers investigated 157 traffic crashes with 70 injuries. Statewide, there were five fatalities during the 2011 New Year’s holiday. Troopers made 90 arrests for driving while intoxicated during the 2010 New Year’s weekend.
Two fatalities occurred in the Troop F, Jefferson City area, one fatality each occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit area, the Troop B, Macon area, and the Troop I, Rolla area.
Robert D. Theissen, 23, of Morrison, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve and travelled off the left side of the road. The vehicle then struck a ditch, overturned and struck a tree. Theissen was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 100 just west of County Road 203 in Gasconade County.
Kameron C. Gwin, 19, of Columbia, died when the vehicle he was driving travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Gwin was not wearing a seatbelt. Officials pronounced Gwin dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle who was wearing a seat belt was seriously injured. The crash occurred on Missouri Route Z just north of St. Charles Road in Boone County.
Joann Vice, 37, of Greentop, died when the vehicle she was riding in failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the side of another vehicle. Vice was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. She died at the Northeast Regional Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle Vice was riding in, who was not wearing a seat belt, received moderate injuries in the crash, which happened on U.S. Highway 63 at Missouri Route W in Schuyler County.
Virginia F. Bruce, 40, of Kansas City, was killed when the vehicle she was driving was struck in the rear as it was disabled and stationary on the right shoulder of Interstate 470. Bruce was wearing a seatbelt. She was pronouced dead at the scene. A passenger received minor injuries.
Wayne C. Taylor, 44, of Steelville, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head-on. Taylor was not wearing a seatbelt. The Crawford County Coroner pronounced Taylor dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle received serious injuries. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 19 near Missouri Route O in Crawford County.
