Include Safety In Your Plans For Labor Day Weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2024 Labor Day weekend. Whether you are on the water or on the road, it’s everyone's responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri laws.

In Missouri, 15 people died and 477 were injured in 1,058 traffic crashes over the 2023 Labor Day holiday.

The 2024 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 2, 2024.

In Missouri, 15 people died and 477 were injured in 1,058 traffic crashes over the 2023 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 9.5 minutes. Troopers arrested 125 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend.

In 2023, there were 12 boating crashes which included zero fatalities and three injuries. No one drowned over last year's Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 10 people for boating while intoxicated during last year's counting period.

The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.

Never operate a vehicle or vessel while you are impaired. Alcohol affects your judgement, reaction time, vision, coordination, and comprehension. The movement of the boat, vibration and noise from the boat’s motor, sun, and wind are all boating stressors and enhance the effect of alcohol on your body. If alcohol is part of your water activities, drink responsibly, and never operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency. These emergency numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive whether you are in your boat or your car.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Two Killed in Crash Near Kearney

Two people died and three others were transported to a local hospital with injuries after being involved in a traffic crash on Wednesday outside of Kearney.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and emergency crews responded to a call at about 3:05 pm on Wednesday, July 3 to Missouri 92 Highway and County Road A, west of Kearney.

Troopers report that a four-vehicle collision had occurred when a Toyota Scion heading west bound on 92 Highway failed to yield to a Ford Fusion, that was stopped to make a left turn onto A Highway. The Scion hit the Fusion from behind.

After the Scion hit the Fusion, it veered into oncoming traffic and hit a Gallatin school bus which was traveling east on 92 Highway carrying students from a conference. The car then continued to spin around and hit a Ford Explorer.

Iris Vallares Barahona, 35, of Kansas City, Mo., was riding in the backseat of the Scion and was ejected from the vehicle. She died at the scene. 26 year-old driver Delmy Vasquez Perez and her other passenger, Griselda Rodriguez Apolinar, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., were both taken to Liberty Hospital. Rodriguez Apolinar was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Vasquez Perez’s injuries are considered serious.

Alex M. Morse, 18, of Kearney was driving the Ford Fusion. He was not listed as needing medical attention by the Highway Patrol’s report.

A 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female were also taken to Liberty Hospital with minor injuries. Everyone besides Vallares Barahona had been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.