Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

The Missouri State Highway Patrol--Water Patrol Division will be conducting sobriety checkpoints for the month of July on the Lake of the Ozarks. The reason for these checkpoints is to increase the boating public's awareness of the potential hazards of operating a boat while intoxicated, reduce fatalities and injuries through vigorous enforcement of Missouri boating laws, remove intoxicated boaters from Missouri waterways, and maximize enforcement efforts in deterring impaired boating. Any vessel that is operating through a checkpoint will be stopped systematically as part of this program and efforts will be made to minimize interruptions to the flow of traffic.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Children's Pain & Fever Concentrated Drops. About 898,000 units are being recalled. The hazard with this over the counter medication is that the drops contain acetaminophen and with any medication containing acetaminophen child- resistant packaging is a requirement by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The original packaging is child- resistant, but the separate dropper unit used for dispensing the drug is not. A child would be able to access the medication at any time posing serious health problems or death if more than the recommended dosage is consumed.
To find out more about this recall click the following link:Rugby Children's Pain & Fever Drops.

Sparklers may not seem dangerous, especially when compared to other fireworks, but if they are not used properly they can pose a threat. Below are some safety tips for sparklers by the National Council on Fireworks Safety.
1. Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.
2. Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm's length.
3. Never throw sparklers.
4. Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
5. Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
6. Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
7. Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed- toe shoes when using sparklers.
8. Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
9. Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
10. Always remain standing while using sparklers.
11. Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends "common sense" safety. Below are some safety precautions that should be used when using fireworks this season.

1. Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

2. Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives:They can kill you!

3. Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.

4. Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

5. Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.

6. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.

7. Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.

8. Know your fireworks. Read the caution label before igniting.

9. Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.

10. Fireworks should only be used outdoors.

11. Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.

12. Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens if they are using fireworks.

Stephanie Carter, 28, of Columbia, MO was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident that occurred on June 21st, around 11:10PM. The accident occurred on I-70 Eastbound by mile marker 141.2. Carter was transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office. Also involved in the accident was Sha'u'ntoryi Jones, 24 and Marceino Moore, 27, both of Columbia. Jones was driving a 2003 Chevrolet at the time of the accident. Both Jones and Moore sustained serious injuries and were transported to University Hospital by Ambulance.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F, the accident occurred as the vehicle began to skid and ran off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle then traveled into a steep ditch and overturned multiple times. The vehicle came to rest upright facing Northwest off the roadway. Both Carter and Moore were ejected from the vehicle.

Robert Lee, 34, of Madison, MO was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident that occurred on June 22nd around 2:50PM. Lee was transported to Agnew Funeral Home in Paris, MO. Lee was driving a 1984 GMC at the time the accident occurred. Also involved in the accident was William Layton, 36, of Decatur, IL. Layton was operating a GED9-40C train at the time of the accident. The accident occurred on County Road 1073, .4 miles South of Madison.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, the accident occurred as Lee drove into the path Layton causing Lee's vehicle to be knocked from the roadway and burned.

Roger Murphy, 41, of Trenton, MO was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident that occurred on June 6th around 4:00PM on Route JJ, 14 miles northeast of Trenton. Murphy was the occupant of a 1989 Ford F350 Pickup driven by James Templeton, 31, of Trenton. Emanuel Hostetler, 17, of Trenton was also an occupant of Templeton's vehicle. Also involved in the accident was Gary Pollard, 69, of Spickard, MO. Pollard was driving a 1996 Ford Pickup at the time of the accident.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H, the accident occurred as Templeton was headed Westbound and Pollard was Eastbound on Route JJ. Pollard stopped in the Eastbound lane at the crest of a hill to make a left hand turn into a private drive. Templeton, in anticipation of Pollard turning locked up the brakes and swerved to the left skidding into the path of Pollard. Templeton's vehicle struck Pollard's vehicle head- on. After impact, Templeton's vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and overturned onto the passenger side partially ejecting one occupant. Pollard's vehicle came to rest in the Eastbound lane.

Murphy was transported to Whitaker Eads Funeral Home in Trenton, MO. Hostetler sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Pollard sustained minor injuries and was transported to Wright Memorial Hospital by Grundy County Ambulance.

William C. Holmes, 15, of Santa Fe ,a sophomore at Paris High School, passed away from injuries sustained in an accident at the intersection of Highway 24 and 15 in Monroe County. Holmes was an occupant of a 1996 Ford that was driven by his step brother, Matthew B. Harmon, 18, of Santa Fe. Also involved in the accident was Boyd E. Lair, 53, of Farber, MO. Lair was driving a 2000 Mack truck. The time of the accident was 3:34PM on Friday, June 10th.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, the accident occurred as Harmon was driving North on MO. 15 and attempted to cross U.S. 24 and drove into the path of Westbound Lair. The car came to rest on the highway and the Mack truck overturned and came to rest on the south side of the highway.

Holmes was first transported to Moberly Regional Medical Center by Monroe County Ambulance and then air lifted to University Hospital in Columbia. Harmon and Lair sustained minor injuries and sought their own treatment.

Move Over America - Protect Law Enforcement & Emergency Responders is a program that was founded in 2007 to help make our officers and emergency responders more safe. It is said that 71 percent of Americans don't know what move over laws are. The following link will take you to the Mover Over America website where you can learn all the facts about the law and why it is important:http://www.moveoveramerica.com/

This link will take you to Missouri's Move Over Law: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3040000010.HTM

Ronald Daughhetee, 40 and Melissa Daughhetee, 41, both of Poplar Bluff, MO were taken by ambulance to Parkland Health Center in Farmington for injuries sustained in a car accident on June 1st. Ronald sustained serious injuries and Melissa sustained moderate injuries. Abby Burke, 17, of Poplar Bluff also sustained serious injuries and was taken by Arch Helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital. An 8 year old girl of Poplar Bluff was pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison County Coroner. The young girl was taken by Madison County Coroner to the Madison County Coroner's office. Ronald Daughhetee was driving a 2003 Ford at the time of the accident. Melissa, Abby, and the 8 year old were all occupants of the vehicle. Also involved in the accident was James Murphy, 54, of Pocahontas, AR. Murphy was driving a 1996 Freightliner at the time of the accident. The accident happened on US- 67 at Route C at Cherokee Pass. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, the accident occurred as Murphy attempted to cross the roadway and struck Daughhetee's vehicle. The 2003 Ford ran off the left side of the road and overturned.

Judy Dodd, 59, of Curryville, MO and Melissa Sanchez, 40, of Vandalia, MO were both taken by Randolph County Ambulance to Moberly Regional Hospital for treatment of injuries which resulted from a car crash. The accident occurred on May 26th about 12:33PM on US- 63, 1 mile North of Cairo. Sanchez was driving a 1990 Buick at the time of the accident with Dodd as a passenger. Also involved in the accident was Ronald Denson, 67, of Clifton Hill, MO. Denson was driving a 2003 Internation dump truck.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, the accident occurred as Sanchez was Southbound on 63 when Denson failed to yield and pulled into the path of Sanchez. The accident was investigated by Trooper Ruckenbrod and assisted by Captain J. Wilt, Corporal K. Linear, and the Randolph County Sheriff's Department.

If you would like to assist the victims of the Joplin tornadoes there is now a safe website available for you to do that. This website will ensure that your donations get to Joplin and not elsewhere. Below is a letter from local Congressmen describing the website and how it works:

Dear Friends,

In Joplin, we have felt your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your compassion, your contributions and your willingness to help.

A Bright Futures team from Joplin has launched a website called RebuildJoplin.org. This website is a comprehensive resource for people affected by the storm AND for those who wish to help.
If you are able to help, please consider going to the website and get connected with verified agencies.

Also, please help us spread the word that RebuildJoplin.org is the primary website for sending help to Joplin. It's by Joplin, for Joplin.

These agencies and resources are screened and verified. RebuildJoplin.org is endorsed by the City of Joplin, Joplin Schools, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way 2-1-1.

RebuildJoplin.org, an initiative launched by Bright Futures, will adjust to the changing needs of community relief efforts. Joplin Schools created Bright Futures as a grass roots, community based program that creates partnerships and utilizes community resources for the common goal of helping our kids and strengthening our families and community. In the wake of the destruction, Bright Futures is adapting a successful program to meet the needs of those impacted by the tornado.

Friends, I ask that you please disseminate this information to your contact list so we can spread the word as quickly as possible, as far as possible. Together we can rebuild Joplin.

A local contact person with Rebuildjoplin.org is Garen McMillian 417-483-5136

With all our thanks,

Senator Ron Richard
Representative Tom Flanigan
Representative Charlie Davis
Representative Mike Kelley
Representative Bill Lant
Representative Bill Reiboldt
Representative Bill White