Numerous Accidents Occur Throughout The Holiday Weekend

The 4^th of July Holiday Counting Period is already racking up accident reports.

According to the Highway Patrol, there were already over 50 crashes statewide on Wednesday alone, including a few across the Lake Area.

One of those crashes, which happened on Highway 54 around 2PM near Route A in Camden County, remains under investigation and no details have been released.

That two-vehicle crash blocked the passing lane and caused delays on both sides of the highway.

Another accident sent 60-year-old Mark Kelly of Eureka Springs, Arkansas to the ER, when he struck an animal on Highway 28 in Maries County, causing him to overturn and be ejected.

Additionally, 51-year-old Wendy Ellzey of Richland received moderate injuries after stopping to make a left turn onto Highway 133, when she was rear-ended by 25-year-old Katelyn Hutchins of Ballwin who slid into her at the stop.

Two more accidents also occurred in Benton County, where 45-year-old Richard Lee of Stover received moderate injuries after striking an animal on Route WW near Brushy Chapel, causing him to overturn and be ejected.

The other accident happened along Highway 7 at US 65 when 53-year-old William Smith of Edwards failed to stop at a stop sign, traveled off the road and struck several trees.

All of those accidents resulted in the individuals being transferred to area hospitals.

In addition to the crashes, there have been numerous water rescues in the middle part of the state, including a possible fatality in Boone County, all due to ongoing flooding issues near and around the Missouri River.

On the water…

According to the Highway Patrol’s Water Division, a 15-year-old teenager was riding a Seadoo PWC at the 9 mile mark of the Big Niangua Arm, when the teen struck a large wake…causing the teen to impact the PWC and be ejected.

That teen was taken to Lake Regional for treatment.

Elsewhere across the state, things haven’t been so good.

Troopers say 61-year-old Christopher Moore of Kansas City drowned on Table Rock Lake Tuesday.

In their report, they say Moore got into the water near Cow Creek Cove, when he apparently let go of the pontoon as it drifted away.

Moore was discovered by his wife after an unknown amount of time and was pulled from the water, but was unable to be resuscitated.

Finally, four people had to be rescued from the Pomme De Terre (Pom D Tear..as in rip) River just south of Hermitage.

The circumstances behind that rescue have not yet been released.