Sedalia Woman Injured in Crash With Deputy’s Patrol Vehicle
On Monday, Nov. 8, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Pettis County Deputy Curtis Hammonds was assisting Missouri State Highway Patrol on a vehicle crash just west of East Prairie Road on US 50.
Deputy Hammonds was blocking the right lane of westbound traffic just east of Prairie Grove Road. He was outside his vehicle with emergency equipment activated as he was directing traffic around the crash.
A westbound vehicle driven by 41-year old female from Sedalia was approaching at highway speeds.
Realizing the driver was not stopping nor did she see the emergency vehicle, Deputy Hammonds was forced to quickly run into the median to avoid being struck by the motorist.
The vehicle crashed into the rear of his patrol vehicle at highway speeds. The female was Life Flighted from the scene of the crash, and Deputy Hammonds was unharmed.
There was significant damage to both vehicles.
“We are praying for the well-being of the driver,” said Pettis County Sheriff in a facebook post.
The woman was identified by the Patrol as 41-year-old Marie L. Willard of Sedalia.
She was flown by air ambulance to University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia for treatment. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Her vehicle, a 2009 Toyota, as well as Deputy Hammond's 2012 Chevrolet, were totaled.