2 die in traffic crashes over Christmas holiday weekend in MO

(KBSI) – Two people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, according to a release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2023 Christmas Holiday Traffic Statistics

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated the following:

• Traffic Crashes — 124
• Traffic Crash Injuries — 71
• Traffic Crash Fatalities — 2
• DWI — 81

In 2022, during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 1,017 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, four people were killed and another 318 were injured.

During the 2022 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 306 traffic crashes which included three death and 84 injuries.

Troopers arrested 52 people for driving while impaired in 2022.

There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2023 Christmas holiday counting period.

The two deadly traffic crashes happened in the Troop D Springfield area. The other occured in the Troop G Willow Springs area.

There were no traffic deaths on Friday, December 22 during the holiday counting period.

There was one deadly crash on Saturday, December 23. Brian E. Powell, 28, of West Plains died when the vehicle he was a passenger in traveled off the road in a curve, struck three fences and overturned. Powell was not wearing a seat belt, according to MSHP. The driver of the vehicle was also not wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries. Two other passengers in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries. One was wearing a seat belt. The other was not wearing a seat belt. The crash happened on Route ZZ, eight miles east of West Plains. Powell was pronounced dead at the scene by Howell County Deputy Coroner Michael Pauly. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Howell County Rural Fire Department and South Howell Ambulance.

One death occurred on Sunday, December 24. Mary L. Smith, 70, of Dupo, Ill. died when the vehicle she was traveling in failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, and struck an abandoned house, according to MSHP. Smith was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries. The crash happened on Route H in Freistatt, at the south city limits. Smith was pronounced at the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin.

There were no traffic deaths on Monday, December 25.