Seven Car Crash Fatalities Over Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend Was Predicted to be One of Most Dangerous

Many groups including the National Safety Council predicted the 2016 Memorial Day weekend holiday to be one of the most deadly holiday weekends of the year for motor vehicle crashes.  Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer  and 100 most dangerous days of driving across the Midwest. Record travel numbers and the lowered cost of gas had  AAA predicting highest traffic volume since 2005.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol reports, there were seven fatalities due to car crashes over the weekend. The official counting period was from 6 p.m. Friday evening, May 27 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2016.

The Missouri Highway Patrol investigated 347 traffic crashes which included 128 injuries and six of the seven fatalities.

The Springfield Missouri Police Department investigated the remaining fatality.  Troopers also arrested 135 people for driving while intoxicated.  In 2015, there were eight car crash fatalities and the Patrol investigated 298 traffic crashes which included 98 injuries.  Last year, troopers also arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated.

Fatalities

Saturday, May 28, 2016

A 20 year old Neelyville, MO woman died when the UTV in which she was a passenger rolled over in Butler county on County Road 525 east of Tower Road.  Authorities say she was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.  Authorities also said that alcohol was a contributing factor to the circumstances of the crash. The driver of the UTV was not injured in the crash and was wearing a seat belt.

A 58 year Kansas City, KS man was killed when another vehicle overtook the car he was driving and struck it from the rear. Both vehicles then left the roadway into the median cable barrier. The crash occurred on Interstate 29 in Platte County. The man was wearing a seat belt and the second driver sustained minor injuries and was wearing a seat belt. Again, authorities say that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

A 23 year old Urbana, MO man died when his vehicle pulled into the path of a commercial vehicle on U.S. 65 in Dallas County near Buffalo, MO.  He as well as the commercial driver were both wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and the commercial driver is reported as having minor injuries.

A 22 year old Kirksville, MO woman died when the vehicle she was driving went off to the left side of the roadway and overturned in Knox County on MO Highway 6 west of Edina, MO. She was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 20 year old Polo, MO pedestrian was struck and killed by an ATV in Ray County on Missouri Route BB, north of Missouri Route D.  The pedestrian died at Truman Medical Center. The driver of the ATV was not injured and was wearing a seat belt. Authorities say that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

A 43 year old Springfield, MO man died when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by another vehicle.  According to reports, at the time of the crash, the motorcyclist was making a left hand turn with a green arrow when the other vehicle failed to stop for a red light and struck him. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 60 at Zimmer Road in Springfield, MO. The Springfield Police Department investigated the crash.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

a 63 year old Everton man was killed when a second vehicle crossed the center lane and struck his vehicle head on. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway WW in Dad county southwest of Everton.  The victim was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and the driver who crossed the center lane sustained serious injuries and was not wearing a seat belt.

Factors that Make Holiday Weekends More Deadly for Motorists

Several factors contribute to a higher number of fatalities over holiday weekends verses regular spring and/or summer weekends. One, the Memorial Day weekend is an extended three-day weekend.  Two, there are simply more cars on the roadway over holiday weekends. Three, the lower than normal gas prices make it possible for more motorists to travel, thus increasing the amount of travelers to an already busy traffic weekend.

Four, drinking and driving is generally more common over holiday weekends and friends get together and celebrate.  Tragically, in several of the fatal crashes over the weekend, alcohol played a role in the crashes which is completely preventable.

The good news—–there were no boating fatalities this holiday weekend. Troopers did investigate 17 boating crashes involving seven injuries.  Troopers did arrest 21 people for boating while intoxicated and made 71 drug arrests. Comparatively, in 2015, there were eight boating crashes including one injury and no fatalities.

Fatalities increased from 2105

There were predictions of fatalities and serious injuries by many safety organizations due to the expected record number of travelers.  Regarding the fatalities over the weekend, I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering how many of these crashes could have been prevented.  Failing to stop at a red light, failing to keep proper following distance and driving while under the influence are all preventable driving errors. These errors can often cause serious injury and fatalies as evidenced in the crashes over the weekend.

After a Motor Vehicle Crash

If you have lost a loved one or if you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash, you absolutely should consult an expert car crash attorney.  Our attorneys are available seven days a week and we specialize in motor vehicle collisions involving serious injuries or wrongful death.  Trying to put your life back together after a serious injury is life-changing. Likewise, when a family loses a loved one, their world is turned upside down and no one is really sure where to turn after a wrongful death.

It is so important to ask questions and talk with a personal injury attorney before even thinking about dealing with any insurance company following a serious injury or death.

For a free, confidential consultation, call at (314) 276-1681