The Missouri and Kansas Highway Patrol units are teaming up this holiday season to collect toys in memory of a Missouri state trooper who died in the line of duty in 2003.
Trooper Michael Newton was killed in May 2003, while sitting in his vehicle writing a warning to a motorist on the I-70 shoulder in western Missouri. His vehicle was struck from behind by a truck.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Collin Stosberg says the Trooper Newton toy drive runs through Thursday.
“On Friday December 15th, troopers from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Kansas Highway Patrol will personally deliver these toys that we collect from the citizens that we serve to hospitalized children,” Stosberg says.
Toy drive donations will be delivered on the 15th to children at the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City and at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
Stosberg tells Missourinet the aim is to bring smiles to the faces of children who spend the Christmas holiday season in the hospital.
“Essentially new unwrapped toys that can be utilized by a child in the hospital bed, such as books and electronic games and things like that,” says Stosberg.
The hospitalized children range from newborns to age 18.
This is the 15th annual Trooper Michael Newton toy drive. Sergeant Stosberg describes Newton as a great husband, father, colleague and friend.
“His death left a huge void in many lives,” Stosberg says. “And it’s a great way (the toy drive) to remember him. His family comes up from southern Missouri to participate in the toy drive.”
Stosberg notes Newton’s family lives in the Rolla area.
Newton was writing a warning in his vehicle on the I-70 shoulder in western Missouri, when his vehicle was struck from behind by a truck.
The “Kansas City Star” has reported that the truck, which was towing a trailer, was going 65 miles per hour. The “Star” has reported that the truck driver later said he was reaching for sunglasses when he crashed.
Trooper Newton’s car burst into flames.
You can drop off a toy donation at the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Lee’s Summit troop or at Summit Homes in Lee’s Summit.
Anyone who needs additional information can call Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Collin Stosberg at Troop A at (816) 622-0800.
Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Collin Stosberg, which was recorded on December 7, 2017: