During the 2024 Labor Day holiday weekend, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported several tragic incidents, including seven traffic fatalities, two boating fatalities, and one drowning. The holiday counting period spanned from 6 p.m. on Friday, August 30, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 2.
Preliminary Statistics from MSHP for the 2024 Labor Day Weekend
Traffic Statistics:
- Crashes: 233
- Injuries: 115
- Fatalities: 7
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Arrests: 108
- Drug Arrests: 5
Boating Statistics:
- Crashes: 3
- Injuries: 8
- Fatalities: 2
- Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) Arrests: 8
- Drownings: 1
- Drug Arrests: 0
Boating Incidents and Drownings
Three boating crashes were reported over the weekend, resulting in eight injuries and two fatalities. Additionally, one person drowned. The boating fatalities and the drowning occurred in Troop F, Jefferson City, area.
- Drowning Incident:
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, William R. Hitzemann, 45, of Weldon Spring, MO, drowned while attempting to swim to shore from a vessel at Golden Eagle Lake in Montgomery County. Hitzemann was not wearing a life jacket. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the incident. - Boating Fatality:
On Sunday, September 1, 2024, two individuals, Reven N. Newbound, 30, and a juvenile, 7, both from Owensville, MO, died in a boating accident on the Gasconade River near Pointers Creek. Newbound’s vessel struck a root wad, causing it to collide with a rock bluff. The juvenile was wearing a life jacket, while Newbound was not. Both were pronounced deceased by Osage County Coroner A.J. Probst. Five other occupants sustained injuries.
Traffic Incidents Resulting in Fatalities
Troopers investigated 233 traffic crashes over the holiday weekend, resulting in 115 injuries and seven fatalities. They also made 108 DWI arrests. The fatalities occurred across several regions, with specific details outlined below:
- Friday, August 30, 2024:
Karen L. Bauer, 65, of Jackson, MO, died in a single-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch. Bauer, a passenger, was wearing a seat belt. Cape Girardeau County Deputy Coroner Scott Wren pronounced her deceased at the scene. - Saturday, August 31, 2024:
Four fatalities were reported:- Osage Beach Police Officer Phylicia F. Carson, 33, of Lake Ozark, MO, died while in pursuit of a violator. Her vehicle crossed the center line, skidded, and struck a tree on Route A near Toronto Springs Park Road. Carson was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased by Camden County Medical Examiner Drew Hall.
- Kevin R. Schiele, 32, of St. Louis, MO, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on Missouri Highway 367 in St. Louis County. He was pronounced deceased at Barnes Jewish Hospital.
- Ali Nazemi-Tabrizi, 68, of Ballwin, MO, died after his vehicle left the roadway on westbound Interstate 64 in St. Charles County and struck a utility box and a tree. He was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced deceased at Mercy Hospital.
- James R. Moore, 66, of Auxvasse, MO, died when his motorcycle skidded off the right side of westbound Interstate 70 in Callaway County and struck a ditch. He was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Callaway County EMS Supervisor Margaret Kriegesmann.
- Sunday, September 1, 2024:
Luci N. Pineda, 38, of Farmington, MN, was killed after exiting her overturned vehicle on southbound Interstate 35 in DeKalb County and being struck by another vehicle. Pineda was pronounced deceased at the scene by DeKalb County Coroner Heath Turner. - Monday, September 2, 2024:
Susan C. Horan, 67, of Festus, MO, died in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 67 in Jefferson County. She was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced deceased at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to emphasize the importance of seat belt and life jacket use to reduce fatalities and injuries on roads and waterways.
