The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

A 1996 Ford Thunderbird sits in a tow lot in Camdenton after the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision on Highway 54 last week. According to police, the Thunderbird, driven by Victoria Jeffries, of Eldon, crossed over the median and struck a pickup truck. Jeffries was taken to Lake Regional Hospital where she died. Police are still investigating. (Reporter photo by Dale Johnson)

Published December 17, 2014

One dead in head-on collision

By Jeff Thompson
LINN CREEK - A head-on collision last Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 10) on Highway 54 took the life of an Eldon woman.

According to Linn Creek Police Sgt. Matt Burns, a 1996 Ford Thunderbird driven by 36-year-old Victoria Jeffries was traveling eastbound on Highway 54 at approximately 3:25 p.m. when the vehicle crossed over the grass median.

The Ford Thunderbird struck a Chevy one-ton pickup head-on that was driven by Bradley Smith, 33, of Camdenton, Burns said.

Both Jeffries and Smith were transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach where Jeffries later died of her injuries, according to Burns.

Smith suffered serious injuries.

Traffic was backed up for a number of hours, Burns said, after closing westbound Highway 54 down to one lane which re-opened at approximately 5:43 p.m.

No further information was released since the investigation into the accident is continuing, Burns added.

The Linn Creek Police Department was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MHP), Osage Beach Fire Department, Camden County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD) and the Camden County Ambulance District.

In addition, Highway 7 north of Greenview was closed temporarily last week because of a one-vehicle accident north of Velvet Antler Road.

According to the MHP, a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by Lisa D. Chaparro, 48, of Camdenton traveled off the right side of Highway 7 at approximately 8:40 a.m.

The vehicle struck a tree then struck a utility pole.

The highway was closed for several hours because of downed power lines from the utility pole.

Chaparro sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital.

The MHP was assisted by the CCSD and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Another two-vehicle accident occurred the afternoon Dec. 13 in Miller County, leaving three people - including a 103-year-old woman - with serious injuries.

According to the MHP, a 2013 Toyota Prius driven by Joshua L. Bradley, 27, of Jefferson City was traveling on the north junction of Business Route 54 at East View Drive.

The Prius attempted to make a left-hand turn but failed to yield to a 2013 Ford F-250 towing a trailer driven by Michael L. Musgrove, 46, of Fulton, causing the Ford to strike to Toyota, according to the MHP.

Joshua Bradley, 27-year-old Jacob G. Bradley of Rocky Mount, and 103-year-old Kaydent G. Bradley of Jefferson City all suffered serious injuries.

Both Joshua and Kaydent were transported to University Hospital in Columbia by Staff For Life helicopter while Jacob was transported to University Hospital by ambulance.