Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

A Missouri car crash on Highway 17 Sunday night claimed the lives of Juanita K. Prater, 57, and Cory D. Parker, 18, and injured three others. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Ronald C. Prater, 57, was driving southbound in a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer when his vehicle was struck by a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Dakota L. Ball, 18.

The Eclipse ran off the right side of the road and skidded across the center line, and struck Prater’s car. Other passengers in Prater’s vehicle included the victim, Juanita K. Prater, as well as Olivia Prater, 14. Cory Parker was a passenger in the car driven by Dakota Ball. Mrs. Prater was flown to University Medical Center in Columbia, where she was pronounced dead at 12:50 a.m. Ronald Prater and Olivia Prater were taken by Pulaski County Ambulance to Lake Hospital and were noted to have suffered moderate injuries as a result of this Missouri car crash. Dakota Ball’s passenger, Cory Parker, was pronounced dead at the scene by Pulaski County Assistant Coroner, Mike McCart. Mr. Ball suffered serious injuries due to the wreck and was airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. All of those involved in the accident were wearing safety devices except Mrs. Prater. Police are investigating this accident in order to determine the precise cause, as it is not known why Mr. Ball initially ran off the road.

Continue reading "Head on Wreck North of Crocker Missouri Results in Two Fatalities" »

Diana Dawes, 43, and her son, Ivan Barton, 19, were killed when their car was hit head-on by a driver attempting to pass another vehicle.

This fatal Missouri car accident occurred on Highway C near the town of Dixon. Dawes was driving a 2000 Ford Taurus eastbound at the time of the accident, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. In the westbound lane on the highway, Thomas McGrath, 63, was approaching Dawes' vehicle. Just before the impact, McGrath attempted to pass a slower moving vehicle by moving into the oncoming traffic lane. According to the initial accident report, McGrath attempted to perform this passing maneuver on a hill, which likely obscured the road ahead and possibly led to the tragic car wreck.

The two vehicles collided head-on, totaling both.

Dawes and Barton were pronounced dead at the scene. McGrath sustained moderate injuries and was flown to University Medical Center in Columbia for treatment.

Neither Dawes or Barton were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

This is the second serious accident involving a passing vehicle that we have commented on in the past couple weeks. As we said before, passing vehicles on two lane road is a perfectly legal maneuver as long as it is done safely and at appropriate locations. The lines on the road indicate when it is safe to perform such a maneuver. If the lines are solid, then don't attempt to pass. If the lines are broken or dotted, you are in an area with enough visibility that you should be able to see the road ahead and pass if there is no oncoming traffic.

Typically, hilly and curvy sections of roads are designated as no passing zones, though the initial report of this latest accident did not specifically say how the lines were marked on the roadway at the accident site.

Continue reading "Mother and son killed in Pulaski County accident" »