Aug 28, 2008

Only minor to moderate injuries were reported in three traffic crashes investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Douglas County this week. On Wednesday, Aug. 20, David E. Allen, 53, of Springfield, was taken to Cox South Hospital with moderate injuries following a 2:15 p.m. wreck six miles east of Ava on Highway 14. Cpl. Brian Thompson of the Highway Patrol reported that Allen was westbound when he apparently fell asleep and drove his 2008 Ford Escape off the road and into a gulley. Joshua J. Hinote, 21, Norwood, was taken to Cox South by Cox Ambulance-Ava, with minor injuries, on Saturday morning following a 10 a.m. crash. Tpr. Justin Piccinino reported that Hinote failed to stop at a stop sign, went across the road and hit a telephone pole four miles north of Ava. The driver was issued a summons for careless and imprudent driving, according to the report released by Troop G. Sherwin G. Strong, 60, of Springfield, was taken to a Springfield hospital Saturday evening following a 6:20 p.m. crash on Highway 5, two miles north of Wasola in Douglas County. Strong was a passenger in a 2001 Chevrolet truck driven by Christopher L. Strong, 36, Springfield, that collided with a 1999 Saturn driven by Rita L. Pickel, 63, of Squires. Cpl. Norman Britt reported that Pickel attempted to cross Highway 5 from a private drive and pulled into the path of the northbound Strong truck. Pickel was issued a summons for failure to yield, according to the Troop G report.