Seven people died in traffic crashes over the 2016 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, eight people were killed during the three-day weekend. During the counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 27, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 30, 2016, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 347 traffic crashes which included 128 injuries and six of the seven fatalities. The Springfield Police Department investigated the remaining fatality. Troopers also arrested 135 people for driving while intoxicated. During the 2015 Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Patrol investigated 298 traffic crashes which included 98 injuries and five of the eight fatalities. Last year, troopers also arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated.

There were zero boating fatalities over the 2016 Memorial Day weekend. Troopers investigated 17 boating crashes involving seven injuries. There were no drownings. Troopers arrested 21 people for boating while intoxicated and made 71 drug arrests. During the 2015 Memorial Day weekend, there were eight boating crashes including one injury and no fatalities. No one drowned during last year's Memorial Day weekend. Troopers arrested 15 people for boating while intoxicated over the 2015 Memorial Day holiday.

Of the six traffic crash fatalities investigated by the Patrol, two occurred in both the Troop A, Lee's Summit, area and the Troop D, Springfield area; one fatality occurred in the Troop B, Macon, area, and the Troop E, Poplar Bluff, area. [The Springfield Police Department investigated the seventh fatality.]

Six people died in traffic crashes on Saturday, May 28, 2016. Shelby N. Carter, 20, of Neelyville, MO, died when the UTV in which she was a passenger rolled over. The crash occurred in Butler County on County Road 525 east of Tower Road. Carter was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Alcohol was a contributing circumstance to the crash. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers pronounced Carter dead at the scene. The driver of the UTV was not injured in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt.

Michael R. Sear, 58, of Kansas City, KS, died when another vehicle overtook the vehicle Sear was driving and struck it in the rear. Both vehicles then traveled off the roadway into the median cable barrier. The crash occurred in Platte County on Interstate 29 south of Mexico City Avenue. Sear was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. Watts pronounced Sear dead at North Kansas City Hospital. Alcohol was a contributing circumstance to the crash. The driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt.

Samual E. Abele, 23, of Urbana, MO, died when his vehicle pulled into the path of a commercial vehicle. The crash occurred in Dallas County on U.S. Highway 65 north of Buffalo, MO. Abele was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dallas County Coroner Lamont Swanson pronounced Abele dead at the scene. The driver of the commercial vehicle sustained minor injuries; he was wearing a seat belt.

Robin M. Helm, 22, of Kirksville, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The crash occurred in Knox County on Missouri Highway 6 west of Edina, MO. Helm was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Knox County Coroner Jeff Doss pronounced Helm dead at the scene.

Megan L. Lamarr, 22, of Polo, MO, a pedestrian, died when she was struck by an ATV. The crash occurred in Ray County on Missouri Route BB north of Missouri Route D. Dr. D. Neel pronounced Lamarr dead at Truman Medical Center. The driver of the ATV that struck Lamarr was not injured in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt. Alcohol was a contributing circumstance in the crash.

Eric W. Teague, 43, of Springfield, MO, died when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a vehicle. At the time of the crash, Teague was turning left with a green arrow when the other driver 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.

One fatality occurred on Sunday, May 29, 2016. Earl J. Ennis, 63, of Everton, MO, died when a second vehicle crossed the center line and struck his vehicle headon. The crash occurred in Dade County on Missouri Highway WW southwest of Everton. Ennis was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dade County Coroner Gary Banta pronounced Ennis dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries; he was not wearing a seat belt.

The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri's roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. "Don't Violate The Trust."

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic incident.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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