Father Killed, Daughter and Son in Law Injured in Two Car Wreck
A Portland, Oregon man caused a serious accident on July 16, 2007 in Cole County when he attempted to cross Highway 54. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Don Wrisley was transporting five passengers in his 2002 Ford. As he attempted to cross Highway 54 at the Heritage junction near Jefferson City, a vehicle driven by Joann Adams struck the Wrisley vehicle broadside, causing the Ford vehicle to overturn and land in a ditch.
According to Corporal Halford, Glen Carter, the father of Joann Adams, was flown to University of Missouri Hospital, where he died from serious personal injuries. Mr. Carter's daughter and son in law received moderate injuries. Both were taken to Capital Regional Hospital for their injuries.
All occupants of both vehicles were wearing their seat belts.
According to James Madison University, around ninety percent of all people realize seat belts are necessary, but less than fourteen percent actually use them. Seat belts reduce the number of serious traffic crashes by 50 percent and reduce fatalities by as much as 70 percent. In a serious auto crash like this, safety belts could not save Mr. Carter's life. It was unclear whether Mr. Carter was sitting in a seat equipped with an airbag.
It is unknown whether either vehicle had insurance to cover the serious personal injuries sustained in this horrible Missouri car crash. As of August 16, 2007, no Missouri personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit have been filed by any of the injured parties.
The Carter family will have three years to file their Missouri wrongful death lawsuit. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is three years. This means if a lawsuit is not filed before the three year limit, the family will be forever barred from obtaining any relief through a Missouri court.
