Seven people died on Missouri roads over the New Year's holiday weekend - none in Callaway County, according to Missouri Highway Patrol officials.
There were fewer crashes and one less fatality than in the previous year.
This year, troopers investigated 229 traffic crashes, which included 77 injuries and five of the seven fatalities. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Sullivan Police Department each investigated one traffic fatality during the counting period. In addition, troopers made 129 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 49 drug arrests during the 2018 New Year counting period.
Last year during the same counting period, Missouri law enforcement agencies reported 539 traffic crashes with 302 injured people. There were eight fatalities during the 2016-17 New Year's holiday counting period. In addition, troopers made 103 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 67 drug arrests. There were no boating incidents or drownings during either counting periods.
Three traffic crash fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area; two traffic crash fatalities occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area, and one traffic crash fatality was in each the Troop G, Willow Spring area and the Troop H, St. Joseph area.
Three people died in traffic crashes Dec. 30. Gregory A. Reynolds, 73, of Clarkton, died when his vehicle began sliding, ran off the roadway and overturned. The crash occurred in Dunklin County on Missouri 25 north of Clarkton. Reynolds was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Gary D. Greenwood, 19, of Mountain Grove, died when the he overcorrected, causing the vehicle he was driving to travel off the road and overturn. Greenwood was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Texas County on Route AM, east of Mountain Grove. It is unknown whether or not Greenwood was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Phillip G. Hoenig, 49, of St. Charles, died when another vehicle ran a red light and struck Hoenig's vehicle as he was turning left. The crash occurred in St. Louis at the intersection of Hall Street and Adelaide Avenue. Hoenig was transported to St. Louis University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the crash.
Two people died as a result of traffic crashes Dec. 31. Bonita D. Fuller, 67, of Jackson, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the right side of the road, struck a utility pole and a ditch, went airborne, then struck a tree and a house. The crash occurred in Cape Girardeau County on U.S. 61 in Fruitland. Fuller was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Cole Watson, 20, of Sullivan died when the vehicle he was driving drove off the road. Watson was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred on Vine Street in the city of Sullivan. Watson was pronounced deceased at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Watson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The Sullivan Police Department investigated the crash.
Two people died as a result of traffic crashes on New Year's Day. Brandon M. Scott, 28, of Independence, died after the vehicle he was driving failed to stop at the intersection of Route A and Route H in Turney in Clinton County. The vehicle then traveled off the edge of the intersection and struck a hedge post, coming to rest on its driver's side. Scott was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Clinton County Sheriff's Department and Lathrop Fire Department also responded.
Gerald J. Beers, 79, of Festus, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to yield while attempting to cross northbound U.S. 67. A northbound vehicle struck Beers' vehicle which rotated counter-clockwise into the left lane and was struck by a second vehicle. The crash occurred in Jefferson County on U.S. 67 at Montauk Drive. Beers was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver and a passenger in the first vehicle that struck Beers' vehicle sustained minor injuries; neither were wearing seat belts. The driver of the second vehicle that struck Beers' vehicle was not injured; he was wearing a seat belt.
The fatality statistics in this report could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments reported fatal traffic crashes after this report was distributed.