Jun 26, 2008

An Illinois woman with family in the Squires and Wasola area, died in a traffic crash last Thursday in Ozark County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Abigail R. Clayton, 21, of Brimfield, Ill., died when the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix she was driving slid out of control in a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned, coming to rest on its top. Miss Clayton, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Coroner Ron Mahan. The body was taken to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava. The crash occurred at 11:05 a.m. on Ozark County Road 154, seven miles northeast of Gainesville. The wreck was investigated by Sgt. Keith Jones, of the Highway Patrol. Troop G reports this is the 25th traffic fatality of the year, compared to 21 at this time a year ago. A Dora woman was airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield last Wednesday, June 18, with moderate injuries, after she wrecked her 2008 Honda motorcycle on Douglas County Route W, five miles southeast of Vanzant. The Highway Patrol said Stacey D Childers-Teeple, 40, was northbound on Route W when she ran her motorcycle off the roadway and overturned in a ditch. The crash occurred at 5 p.m. and was investigated by Cpl. Brian Thompson of the Highway Patrol.