The Missouri State Highway Patrol says four people died in traffic crashes and one person drowned during the 2019 Labor Day holiday weekend.


The 2019 counting period for Labor Day weekend ran from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 2.

The Highway Patrol investigated the following:

2019 Labor Day Holiday Traffic Statistics

Crashes 309
Injuries 107
Fatalities - 4
DWI -116
Drug Arrests - 95

2019 Labor Day Holiday Boating Statistics

Crashes ─ 13
Injuries ─ 4
BWI 10 
Drug Arrests -16

Drownings - 1

Two fatal traffic crashes occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, MO, area, and one fatal traffic crash occurred in each of the Troop B, Macon, MO, and Troop I, Rolla, MO, areas.

One fatal crash occurred on Friday, August 30, as 22-year old Allen M. Coggins, of St. Clair, MO, died when his vehicle was struck by two separate vehicles following an earlier single-vehicle crash. The initial crash reportedly left Coggins' vehicle facing eastbound in the westbound lanes. The crash occurred on Interstate 44 at Big Bend Boulevard in St. Louis County. Kirkwood Fire Rescue personnel pronounced Coggins dead at the scene. Coggins was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. No other injuries occurred. The Kirkwood Fire and Rescue and Kirkwood Police Department also responded. 

The remaining three fatal crashes occurred on Saturday, August 31, 22-year old Brandon T. Gramc, of Palmyra, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole, and overturned. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 168 west of Palmyra in Marion County. It is unknown whether or not Gramc was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. Hemal Patel pronounced Gramc dead at Hannibal Regional Hospital. The Marion County Sheriff's Department and Palmyra Fire Department also responded.

40-year old Nicholas J. Easton, of Paragould, AR, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving causing it to overturn. The crash occurred on Missouri Route ZZ west of Jadwin, MO, in Dent County. Easton was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected. Dr. Lambird pronounced Easton dead at Salem Hospital. 

59-year old Stanley C. Fluegel, 59, of Arnold, MO, died when another vehicle made a left turn in front of the motorcycle he was operating. The crash occurred on Old Missouri Highway 21 north of Enchanted Forest Drive in Jefferson County. Fluegel was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Medical staff pronounced Fluegel dead at Mercy Hospital South. 

One person drowned over the Labor Day holiday weekend. 18-year old  Lloyd D. Randle, of Jefferson City, MO, drowned after driving his vehicle into the Missouri River from the Noren Access on August 30. Callaway County Medical Examiner Stacy Huck pronounced Randle dead at 9:29 p.m. on August 30. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team recovered Randle's body on September 2. The Osage County Sheriff's Office, Callaway County Sheriff's Office, and Jefferson City Fire Department assisted at the scene.

In 2018, there were 11 fatalities.

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