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.

Published June 6, 2018

No fatalities in lake area during holiday weekend

JEFFERSON CITY - There were no fatalities in the Troop F area (which includes Lake of the Ozarks) on the road or on the water over the Memorial Day Holiday period.

Troop F troopers participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) from Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28, meaning every available officer was on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists.

Troop F reported zero fatal traffic crashes, but investigated 33 traffic crashes that included 13 injuries. Troopers made 20 DWI arrests.

Troopers assigned to Lake of the Ozarks worked extended shifts - 12 hours--during the Memorial Day weekend. There were zero boating fatalities and zero drownings in Troop F.

Troopers investigated five boating crashes involving six injuries and arrested six people for boating while intoxicated.

“Even though this major holiday period has ended, we want to urge motorists and boaters to continue to drive safely whether it’s on the highways or waterways,” said Captain Turner. “Our troopers work very hard to keep the motoring and boating public safe.”

The traffic accidents in the Lake of the Ozarks area were:

Friday, May 25

According to the MSHP, around 6:30 a.m. a 2017 Ford Fusion was northbound on Blackberry Patch Road at Quail Run Road in Morgan County when the vehicle, driven by Bonnie Williams, 46, of Versailles, MO, made a right turn on Blackberry Patch Road and struck a 2006 Chevy Impala, driven by Seth Folsom, 28, also of Versailles, MO, head-on.

Folsom was wearing a safety device but Williams was not. The only injury listed was a five-year-old female passenger in Folsom’s vehicle who received serious injuries. She was taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital. She was wearing a safety device.

Both vehicles were listed as totaled.

There were no traffic accidents reported by the MSHP for Camden, Miller or Morgan Counties on May 26.

Sunday, May 27

Around 8:56 a.m. a 2003 Ford Ranger, driven by Christina Currence, 25, of Eldon, MO, was westbound on Kaiser Road at Black Road in Miller County when the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Currence sustained minor injuries and was transported to Lake Regional Hospital by private vehicle. She was wearing a safety device.

At 12:30 p.m. in Morgan County, a 2005 Chevrolet 3500, driven by Ricky Lepper, 33, of Eldon, MO, was westbound on Highway 52 at Cottonwood Road.

The MSHP stated that the vehicle attempted to turn left and was struck by a 2007 Pontiac Torrent, driven by Lon Larson, 85, of Versailles, MO.

Larson received serious injuries and was transported by Staff for Life to University Hospital.

Both drivers were wearing their safety devices.

Monday May 28

At 2:25 p.m. on Sellers Road just north of Glen North Drive in Camden County, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Gary Steen, 69, of Camdenton, MO, was southbound when, according to the MSHP, he crossed the centerline and struck a 2005 Chrysler Sebring, Driven by Lindsey Hamilton, 18, also of Camdenton, MO.

Steen was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries.

Hamilton was taken by private vehicle to Lake Regional Hospital.

Both drivers were wearing safety devices. Both vehicles received extensive damage.

On the water there were no reported accidents on Friday May 25.

Saturday, May 26

According to the MSHP at 9:45 p.m at the .3 Mile Marker of the main channel (in Miller County) a 2000 Baja Watercraft, driven by Cletus Barsch, 41, of St. Joseph, MO, was going downstream when the boat encountered a 2003 Formula watercraft driven by Timothy Cox, 50, of Adel IA.

The Formula turned to the left to avoid a collision but the Baja turned to the right and struck the bow of the Formula.

Three occupants of the Formula were injured in the accident:

Holly Peterson, 20, of West Des Moines, IA, received minor injuries along with Emma Graen, 20, of Waukee, IA. Both took a private vehicle to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment.

Alec Potthoff, 20, of Van Meter, IA, received serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital.

A female minor in the Baja received minor injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by Ambulance.

None of the occupants or drivers was wearing a safety device.

Sunday, May 27

The MSHP stated that a 2000 Four Winn Runabout, driven by Michael Thus, 61, of St. Charles, MO, was at the 20 Mile Mark of the Osage Arm at 9 a.m. when the vessel struck a wake causing an occupant, Tamra Thus, 58, also of St. Charles, MO to become airborne before impacting the seat.

Tamra was taken to Lake Regional and then University Hospital with minor injuries. Both were wearing a safety device.

At 3:30 p.m. a 1997 Pleasure Craft, driven by Chester Anderson, 28, of Waynesville, MO, was eastbound at the 15.5 Mile Marker of the main channel when the boat struck a large wake causing the occupant of the vessel, Mary Andrews, 29, of St. Robert (who was standing at the time) to lose her balance and fall in the boat.

She received moderate injuries and was Life Flighted to University Hospital. Neither the driver nor occupant was wearing a safety device.

Sunday, May 28

At 3:21 p.m. a 2007 Searay 29 Foot, driven by Mitchell Lampe, 58, of Wentzville, MO, was traveling east at the 23 Mile Marker of the Main Channel when an operational alarm sounded.

The driver checked on the motor and saw open flames which he extinguished with an onboard fire extinguisher.

There were no injuries listed for this accident.