Area Wrecks Send Motorists to the Hospital; Some Injured Seriously

The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated a number of accidents during the past week, some of which resulted in serious injuries.

A 17-year-old Ava youth and the 21-year-old driver were seriously injured Saturday, April 14, when the pickup in which they were riding ran off Highway JJ, 1½ miles west of Squires, and overturned.

The Highway Patrol reported Shon Gossett, 17, was a passenger in the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup driven by Ryan K. Swearengin, 21, of Ava. Swearengin was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken by ground ambulance to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, with serious injuries.

Gossett was airlifted to Cox South by Cox Air Care helicopter.

A third occupant, Misty D. David, 15, of Ava, sustained minor injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital by private vehicle.

The crash occurred at 5:40 p.m. and was investigated by Cpl. Brian Thompson of the Highway Patrol. Squires and Ava Rural fire departments also assisted with the wreck.

Two women, one from Ozark and the other from Gassville, Ark., were taken to Springfield hospitals by ambulance Saturday morning following a crash west of Ava on Highway 14, at the junction of Highway K.

That crash occurred at 9:40 a.m. and was investigated by Tpr. Justin Piccinino of the Highway Patrol.

The wreck occurred as a westbound 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Trilba A. Denny, 45, of Gassville, Ark., crossed the centerline and struck an eastbound 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Rebecca L. Jennings, 38, of Ozark.

Both women sustained moderate injuries. Denny was transported to the hospital by a Mercy Ambulance from Wright County. Jennings was transported by Cox Ambulance, Ava.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Ava Rural Fire and Ava City Fire assisted with the wreck.

Two people were injured in a three-car crash last Thursday, April 12, on Highway 5, one mile south of Squires.

The Highway Patrol said Jesse L. Dry, 84, Squires, was attempting to make a U-turn from Route N onto Highway 5 when his 1984 Chevrolet was hit by a 2000 Ford Windstar driven south on Highway 5 by Randie J. Schmucker, 63, of Wasola. Schmucker’s vehicle then hit a third vehicle, a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Johnna L. Kronk, 46, of Squires.

Dry suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital by Cox Ambulance.

A passenger in the Schmucker vehicle, Delena M. Christy, 87, of Wasola, sustained serious injuries and was also taken to Cox South by a Cox Ambulance.

Neither of the other two women was injured.

Tpr. Piccinino and Cpl. Jim Britt investigated that wreck which occurred at 9:40 a.m.

On Tuesday, April 10, Christie J. Vauter, 31, of Squires, suffered moderate injuries when she ran off Highway 5 and overturned eight miles south of Ava.

The Highway Patrol said the 6:30 p.m. mishap occurred as Vauter attempted to make a right hand turn, ran off the roadway and impacted a stop sign, and overturned. The 1998 Pontiac came to rest in the ditch.

Vauter was taken to Cox South Hospital by ambulance.

The crash was investigated by Tpr. Rob Crewse of the Highway Patrol.