Missouri Injury Attorneys Blog

Pulaski County crash ends in moderate injury for Missouri woman after being hit by another vehicle on I-44.

On July 28, 2011 at approximately 8:43 p.m., 42 year old Gina Vosylius of Devils Elbow, Missouri, was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier traveling westbound in the driving lane of I-44, at the 162 mile marker in St. Robert. At that said time and place, 55 year old Regina Castro of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, was operating a 2010 Kenworth, traveling in the passing lane of westbound I-44.

Castro then attempted to move from the passing lane into the driving lane and failed to observe the Vosylius vehicle. Castro then struck Vosylius in the rear.

Vosylius was transported from the scene of the crash by Pulaski County Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla with moderate injuries. The at-fault driver, Castro, was not injured in the crash. Both individuals involved in the crash were wearing their safety devices.

Vosylius' vehicle received total damage in the crash and was transported from the scene by Jacks towing. The at-fault vehicle received only minor damage and was driven from the scene of the crash.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt R. Copeland.

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One man is seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle.

On July 29, 2011 at approximately 3:30 p.m., 41 year old Jean-Francois Bedard of Vekdun, Quebec, was riding a Davinci Bicycle traveling on the edge of eastbound US 24, 2 miles west of Madison. At that said time and place, 42 year old Glendale Johnson of Madison, Missouri was operating a 2007 Chevrolet traveling also eastbound on US 24. Johnson attempted to pass bicyclist Bedard and struck Bedard in the rear.

Bedard was transported from the scene of the crash by Monroe County Ambulance to Moberly Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The at-fault driver, Johnson, was not injured in the crash.

Bedard's bicyle received total damage in the crash and was removed from the scene by Monroe County Fire Department. The Johnson vehicle received only minor damage in the crash and was driven from the scene. Both parties involved in the crash were wearing safety devices.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl C. Harlan and was assisted by Monroe County Sheriff's Department and Madison First Responders.

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On July 21, 2011, Serious Injury Legal Group attorney A.W. Smith obtained another 7 figure result in a lawsuit involving a motor vehicle crash that left a California, Missouri man with serious injuries. On January 29th, 2008, the plaintiff was traveling home from work westbound on U.S. Highway 50 near California, Missouri. The crash occurred when the defendant, who was traveling eastbound on Highway 50, crossed over the center line and violently struck plaintiff's vehicle in a head-on collision. The plaintiff was taken to University Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. After several months of therapy and rehabilitation the plaintiff was able to walk again.

Law enforcement determined that the defendant was operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. A judgment of $1.1 million was awarded for the plaintiff and his wife following a bench trial. The venue for the case was Miller County Circuit Court in Tuscumbia, Missouri.

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Versailles resident is seriously injured after getting struck head-on while traveling MO 52.1.

On July 24, 2011, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Viva Stokes, age 76 of Versailles, Missouri, was operating a 2010 Lincoln traveling eastbound on MO 52, about 1 mile west of MO 135 North. Viva Stokes was traveling alone in her vehicle. At said time and place, 42 year old Stacy Markes of Cole Camp, Missouri, was operating a 1992 Oldsmobile traveling westbound on MO 52.1. Stacy Markes was also traveling alone in her vehicle.

Markes, the westbound driver, then crossed over the center lane and struck Stokes head on. Stokes was transported by ambulance to Capital Region Hospital with serious injuries. Markes, the at fault driver, was flown to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment, also with serious injuries. Both drivers were wearing their safety devices.

Stokes' vehicle received total damage and was towed from the scene of the crash by D and R towing located in Versailles, Missouri. Markes vehicle also received total damage and was towed from the scene of the crash by Viebrocks Towing, located in Stover, Missouri. Both drivers were covered by insurance by the time of the crash.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper B. Dettenwanger who was assisted by CPL. D, Barbour.

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Two car crash in St. Louis County leaves three members of a Wentzville family seriously injured.

On July 26, 2011 at approximately 5:29 p.m., 53 year old Roger Parks of Wentzville, Missouri, was operating a 2000 Ford Explorer traveling eastbound on Interstate 70, east of Interstate 270. Parks' vehicle was occupied by himself and 34 year old Alicia Parks and 27 year old Georgia Parks; both of Wentzville, Missouri. At that said time and place, Shante Bradley, 34 year old of St. Louis, Missouri, was operating a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix traveling eastbound on I-70, behind the Parks vehicle.

Parks began to decrease speed due to slowed traffic ahead. Bradley then swerved her vehicle to avoid Parks and upcoming slowed traffic. Bradley then struck the Parks vehicle, causing it to overturn. Bradley's vehicle continued and eventually struck the median wall.

The Parks family was transported from the scene of the crash by Pattonville Ambulance to DePaul Hospital; all sustaining moderate injuries. The at-fault driver, Shante Bradley, was not injured in the crash.

Both vehicles involved in the crash received total damage and were towed from the scene by Hoods Towing. All parties involved in this crash were wearing their safety devices. This crash was investigated by Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. S. Buchheit.

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Three Missouri residents are seriously injured in a two car head-on crash in Callaway County.

On July 22, 2011 at approximately 5:10 p.m., 59 year old Addie Kronk of Fulton, Missouri, was operating a 2005 Chrysler traveling eastbound on RT WW at County Road 350. At that said time and place, 68 year old Matiul Islam of Columbia, Missouri, was operating a 2010 Mercedes traveling westbound on RT WW. The crash occurred as Islam was travelling too fast for conditions and failed to negotiate a curve. Islam then crossed the center line and struck Kronk's vehicle head-on.

Addie Kronk was transported by ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri with serious injuries. The at-fault driver, Islam, was also transported by ambulance to University Hospital with serious injuries. Islam's vehicle was occupied by himself and his wife, Fetema Islam, at the time of the crash. Fetema Islam, 56 year old of Columbia, Missouri, was flown from the scene of the crash by Staff for Life to University Hospital with serious injuries.

Both vehicles received total damage due to the crash and were towed from the scene by Russ Auto in Millersburg, Missouri. All parties involved in the crash were wearing their safety devices.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper J. Turner. Trooper Turner was assisted by Sgt. J. Arnold and Trooper K. Green.

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Two Centralia residents are seriously injured after another vehicle fails to stop at a stop sign.

On July 23, 2011 at approximately 8:17 p.m., Lori Holbert, 41 year old of Centralia, Missouri, was operating a 1997 Buick traveling westbound at the Route C and Route M intersection, 8 miles south of Madison. At that said time and place, Michael Glasson, 34 year old of Holliday, Missouri, was operating a 2001 Chevrolet traveling northbound at the intersection of Route C and Route M.

Glasson failed to stop at the stop sign or yield to the Holbert vehicle, resulting in a crash in the intersection. Lori Holbert's vehicle was occupied by herself and son, Donald Holbert, 14 year old also of Centralia, Missouri.

Lori and Donald Holbert were both transported from the scene of the crash by Monroe County Ambulance to Boone County Hospital in Columbia with moderate injuries. The at-fault driver, Michael Glasson, was not injured in the crash.

The Holbert vehicle received total damage in the crash and was towed from the scene by Cummins Towing in Paris, Missouri. The at-fault vehicle received extensive damage and was also towed from the scene of the crash by Cummins Towing. Both drivers involved in the crash were wearing their safety devices. It is unknown if the passenger, Donald Holbert, was wearing his safety device at the time of the crash.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. N.D. Berry and was assisted by Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Monroe County Ambulance, Madison Volunteer Fire Department, and Paris Volunteer Fire Department.

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Pine Lawn, Missouri police officer is seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle while standing outside of his patrol vehicle in St. Louis County.

On July 23, 2011 at approximately 4:07 a.m., a 2005 Chevrolet Impala was stopped on the side of Westbound I-70, west of Jennings Station Road. Said vehicle was a Pine Lawn Patrol Vehicle with its emergency lights activated. Brandon Lange, 27 year old of Pine Lawn, Missouri, was the operator of said patrol vehicle and had exited the vehicle and was standing outside of a violator's vehicle issuing a traffic citation.

At said time and place, Adam Horn, 24 year old of Arnold, Missouri, was operating a 2000 Buick Lesabre, traveling westbound on I-70. Horn then ran off the right side of the road striking the patrol vehicle and Brandon Lange.

Lange was transported from the scene of the crash by North East Fire District to Barnes Jewish Hospital with serious injuries. The at-fault driver, Adam Horn, was not injured in the crash. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage in the crash and were towed from the scene by Eddies Towing.

This crash was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol CPL S. Buchheit.

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Johnson County man fails to yield at a stop sign, leading to three serious injuries and two totaled cars.

On July 19, 2011, at approximately 2:10, Libbie Foeste, 30 from Sedalia, Missouri, was operating a 1999 Mazda heading westbound on Highway 50. Foeste's vehicle occupied herself, and children Jade Groat, 4, and Joseph Groat, 7 both from Sedalia. At said time and place Derek Voss, 25 of Kingsville, Missouri, was operating a 1998 Ford traveling southbound on NW 1601 Road.

Voss then failed to stop at a stop sign while crossing Highway 50. Foeste then struck Voss after his negligence at said stop sign. All three passengers in Foeste's vehicle sustained serious injuries. Foeste was transported to Truman Medical center for treatment while the children were transported to Children's Mercy Hospital.

Everyone in the Foeste vehicle was wearing a seatbelt. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Voss was not wearing any safety device. Both cars were totaled after the crash. Rons Tow towed both cars from the crash site. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study found that driver error was the primary cause of 90 percent of major traffic crashes.

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Shell Knob resident sustained serious injuries after being hit from behind and ejected from his vehicle.

On July 18, 2011 at approximately 2:50 p.m. , 51 year old Greg Tucker of West Branch, Iowa was operating a 2005 Kenworth traveling northbound on US 71. At said time and place, Michael Finney, 59 of Shell Knob, Missouri, was operating a 2005 Hyundai traveling northbound on US 71.

Finney began to slow his vehicle as traffic ahead became congested. Tucker overtook Finney and rear ended the back of the Hyundai. Finney's vehicle travelled off the right side of the highway and proceeded to overturn. The car eventually came to a stop facing southbound. Finney was ejected from the vehicle. Tucker's car collided with the median. Finney suffered serious injuries and was transported from the crash site to Research Hospital.

Finney's vehicle was totaled. Knights Tow towed the wrecked car from the scene of the crash. Tucker's car sustained minor damages and was driven away from the scene. It is unknown whether both parties were wearing proper safety devices.

This crash was investigated by Sergeant A.J. Bell in Cass County near NB US 71 at Route J.

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O'Fallon resident sustained serious injuries after being hit from behind and ejected from his vehicle.

On July 19, 2011 at approximately 7:10 p.m., 26 year old Erin Doralque of Wright City, Missouri, was operating a 2005 Cadillac CTS traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 east of Route DD. At that said time and place, 38 year old Michael Huffman of O'Fallon, Missouri, was operating a 2002 Ford Explorer also traveling eastbound on Interstate 64.

Doralque then drove her vehicle directly into the rear of Huffman's vehicle, causing both vehicles to travel off the roadway. Huffman's vehicle then overturned and he was ejected from the vehicle. Huffman sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene of the crash by St. Charles County Ambulance to St. John's Medical Center for treatment. The at-fault driver, Doralque, was not injured in the crash.

Huffman's vehicle sustained total damage and was towed from the scene of the crash by Crash City. The at-fault driver's vehicle received total damage and was also towed from the scene of the crash by Crash City. The injured party, Michael Huffman, was not wearing a safety device. The at-fault driver, Erin Doralque, was wearing her safety device.

This crash was investigated by Trooper W Luzenko and assisted by Corporal J Hedrick, Trooper J Potocki, Sergeant S Ferrier and members of Major Crash Investigative Unit Team #2.

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I-70 auto collision leads to two fatalities and a man taken into custody on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.

On July 14, 2011 at approximately 8 p.m, Edward Taggart 72, of Prairie Home, Missouri, and Gilbert Love, 73 of Auxvasse, Missouri, pulled over onto the shoulder of eastbound Interstate 70 near the 129.9 mile marker. Taggart and Gilbert were on the job, both men coworkers for a car auction service delivering vehicles, when they were notified that one of the two vans they were traveling in was out of gas.

Taggart and Gilbert exited their vehicles and began attempting to put gas in one of the vans. Meanwhile, driver Earl Hutcherson, 60 year old of 261 N. Rainbow Drive, operating a Toyota 4-Runner sport- utility vehicle, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 as well. Hutcherson negligently collided with the two vans on the side of the road and the two pedestrians Taggart and Love. Love was at the scene of the crash. Taggart was taken to University Hospital with serious injuries where he was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

Hutcherson made statements to the police that night raising suspicion to the causes of this crash. Hutcherson spoke of cell phone use before the collision and stated alcohol might have been a factor. Consequently, Hutcherson was arrested and taken to Boone County Jail where bail has yet to be set for two counts of involuntary manslaughter. In August 1985, Hutcherson pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge

Love and Taggart were described as good friends at the time of the accident. Taggart worked for much of his life as a career salesman and leaves behind a wife, two children, and two grandchildren. Love worked for much of his life in Mexico, Missouri as a diesel mechanic and beacon to his church. Love is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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A three car crash in Douglas County leads to serious injury for two Ava, Missouri residents.

On June 30, 2011 at approximately 8:00 a.m., 20 year old Leslie Heriford of Ava, Missouri, was operating a 2007 Toyota pick-up truck traveling northbound on MO RT 5, about two miles south of Ava. At that said time and place, 24 year old Jared O'Brien of Drury, Missouri, was operating a 2003 Volkswagon Jetta also traveling northbound on MO RT 5. 34 year old Crystal Lee of Ava, Missouri was operating a 2008 Hyundai Sonata, traveling southbound on MO RT 5 at that time.

The crash occurred as driver one, Leslie Heriford, was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck the back of vehicle two, driven by Jared O'Brien. Heriford then crossed over the center line of MO RT 5 and struck driver three, Crystal Lee, head-on.

Driver of vehicle three that was hit head-on, Crystal Lee, was flown from the scene of the crash by Air Evac to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri with serious injuries. The at-fault driver, Leslie Heriford, was flown to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri also with serious injuries. Driver two, Jared O'Brien, was not injured in the crash.

The vehicles of the two injured parties received total damage and were towed from the scene of the crash to Jim's Body Shop in Ava, Missouri. The third vehicle, driven by the uninjured party, received extensive damage but was removed from the scene of the crash by the owner.

All parties involved in this crash were wearing their safety devices. This crash was investigated by Sergeant K.A. Jones of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G.

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Wrongful death suit resulting from Moberly, Missouri teen's death settles out of court for $787,000.

The A.W. Smith Law Firm's most recent case involved the wrongful death of an 18 year old high school student from Moberly, Missouri. The teen died following a motor vehicle crash on June 3, 2010 near Moberly on northbound U.S. 63. Plaintiffs alleged that the collision occurred when a Missouri Department of Transportation dump truck failed to yield to the vehicle that decedent was riding in.

The collision forced both vehicles off the left side of the road and into the median. According to the Highway Patrol, the crash occurred in part due to a blind spot created by the dump truck's mirrors and also signs along the roadway.

A.W. Smith from The A.W. Smith Law Firm, along with Jackie Barrow of The Barrow Law Firm settled the case for $787,000. The venue for the case was Cooper County Circuit Court in Boonville, Missouri.

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