Dec 18, 2008

The driver of a van that ran one car off the road on Old Highway 5 north of Ava Sunday morning before crashing on East Highway 76 faces numerous charges including felony drug possession. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Kim M. Shanta, 49, of Ava, was northbound on Old Highway 5, about two miles north of Ava when she crossed the center line into the southbound lane where she sideswiped a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup driven by Patricia L. Talley, 29, of Mtn. Grove. The Talley truck ran of the road and hit a tree. No one was hurt in that wreck that occurred at 11:30 a.m. Santa, driving a 1999 Plymouth van, continued north on Old 5 and turned east on Highway 76 where she failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the right side of the roadway, came back onto the roadway and ran off the left side, striking an embankment and overturned. The vehicle crossed a fence and came to rest on its wheels well off the roadway. Shanta was treated at the scene by EMS personnel with Cox Ambulance but refused further treatment. Highway Patrol Sgt. Keith Jones investigated the crash on Old Highway 5 and cited Shanta with careless and imprudent driving for failure to drive on the right half of the roadway. Tpr. Justin Piccinino investigated the wreck on Highway 76 and cited Shanta for felony leaving the scene of an accident and felony drug possession. Sgt. Jones investigated a crash on Highway 5 north of Ava Friday afternoon that involved only one vehicle and resulted in no injuries, but could have had a much different result. Sgt. Jones said Heath Carnall, 18, of Ava, was traveling north on Highway 5 about a mile north of town, in a 1970 Chevrolet Nova and was attempting to pass a long line of traffic. The lead car made a left turn into the driveway of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association property, and as Carnall swerved to the left to miss the turning car he lost control, traveled back across the road and ran off the right side of the highway. Carnall went down an embankment and struck a tree on the east side of Highway 5. Sgt. Jones said no other drivers were involved and no one was hurt.