Clay County, Missouri crash kills one, injures four
A four-car Missouri accident on Highway 69 in Clay County killed one person Saturday while injuring four others.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 7:20 p.m. when Lucas Bates, 28, attempted to pass a line of cars on the two lane highway. His northbound 2000 Ford entered the southbound lanes and it collided head-on with two southbound vehicles. The first was a 2007 Buick, driven by Shirley Harless, 60; the second was a 2005 Pontiac, driven by Amy Oliphant, 26.
The investigating officer said that Harless' Buick was forced off the road by the impact. Oliphant's Pontiac also ended up off the roadway where it caught fire. Debris from the initial crash flew back into the northbound lanes where it struck a fourth car causing minor damage.
Harless was pronounced dead at the scene. Robert Smallwood, 58, was in Harless' car and suffered serious injury. Bates was also seriously injured. Amy Oliphant and a passenger, Nathan Oliphant, 27, suffered less serious injuries.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Charges are pending, according to the initial crash report.
Once the charges are filed and the investigation is complete, a Missouri car accident attorney will be able to use that information should a personal injury lawsuit come from this incident.
