According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo driven by McKay M. Harris, 17, Neosho, crossed the center line and struck a 2015 Hyundai Elantra driven by Ronni J. Ducommun, 32, Wenzville, head on.
Ducommun, a passenger in her vehicle, Janet M. Ducommun, 67, Neosho, and a passenger in the Harris vehicle, Alex M. Ashlin, 18, Neosho, were pronounced dead at the scene by Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems.
Harris was taken to Mercy Hospital, Joplin, with serious injuries.
In addition to DWI, Harris was cited for careless and imprudent driving, no insurance, displayed the plates of another, minor in possession and for not wearing a seat belt.
The fatalities were the 51st, 52nd, and 53rd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.
(The post has been changed to reflect the correct time of the accident.)
This is tragic. He'll never get over this. Why can't children see this and just stop?
ReplyDeleteThe Ducommun family will never get over this, either.
DeleteChildren never learn sometimes until its too late, now its too late. I sure feel for the Ducommun family, also the family of this boy they have now lost as a result.
DeleteHe needs to go to jail for the rest of his life. He killed 3 people.
DeleteRachel McDonald, are u stupid or what....
DeleteYou guys think you know what happened you don't my brother and Alex Ashlynn were best friends and Alex used to stay at his house well my grandpa's and u guys don't even know what happened so don't assume on something that u may not know,
Delete3 counts of manslaughter, he will have a long time tho think about it, that's for sure.
DeleteAnd I went to church and played sports with Ronni. And I am very not sure what you mean about "not knowing the whole story" bc I'm pretty closely connected to the prosecutors office and this kid was drunk and killed your brother's friend, and two other people who were just trying to get home. On a holiday. There's not a lot of mystery here. And you know what MIP means, right? That they found him in possession of alcohol? They found booze in. the. car.
DeleteAnd the 4th of July- for the rest of their lives- will be a horrible reminder of what they lost- forever. A nation wide celebration on one of the worst days of their lives.
The Ducommuns are a huge family (like at least 6 kids) and they lost their mother. Why don't you spare us the outrage and maybe focus it on the fact that this dude ruined two families bc he wanted to drink and drive. Stop. Get some compassion and shut it down.
Where's his parents in all this ?I realize you can't watch your children 24 hours a day 7 days a week but you sure as hell can pay attention to who they're hanging out with.he 17 and out at 1:20 am yes he's guilty of the ACT but his parents should be just as guilty for allowing their child to be out that late at night .... maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to put a interlock on all vehicles driven by minors that surely would stop a lot of drunk driving and senseless death.
DeleteRachel and "unkown" - yes it is tragic for the 17yr old DRUNK kid - he will have to live with the fact that he that made a choice to first of all drink underage, worst of all made a decision to drive while drunk. And no we don't know your brother, he probably was a good brother, BUT he made a tragic, deadly decision to drink and drive and it cost three people their lives. I'm sure you hurt for your brother, he will hopefully have severe consequences he will face, and I'm sure that scares and hurts you, BUT seriously, HE KILLED THREE PEOPLE!
DeleteAs did a 18 yr old boy in 2002 and his choice had the same consequences - but it was out 16 yr old nephew, an only child, who had never had a drop of alcohol in his life - who also died at the hands of drunk driver, who also had bottles of alcohol in his truck. WORST YET - HE GOT OFF on a STUPID technically - but he still has to live with the fact that he killed a 16yr old kid, from the same high school he attended - he will live with that everyday the rest of his life killed an innocent 16yr old boy from the same high school he attended.
In our case, the mother is to blame as well, she provided the alcohol for the party at her house and then allowed her son to go out drunk at midnight and drive. In this case, she should have been charged with manslaughter as well. She too, has to live with that the rest of her life.
In this case, is it fair to blame the parents of any of the kids? NO it's not. If you find a way to control, uncontrollable teenagers, you'll be a millionaire. You may, like myself, be a very diligent, strict parent, and are fortunate, as I was, that my teenagers did, for the most part, obey their parents rules, and knew if they didn't there were consequences...but in no way, unless that kid's parents were there when he was drinking, or the other kids parents were there when their kids got in the car with a drunk driver - are they to blame. Don't put that on them, the guilt and grief they must feel already has to be overwhelming enough without people judging them. It was not their choice for their child to drink and drive. It was not their choice for their kids to get in the car with a drunk drinker.
We all need to pray for the families of those killed. Pray for the family of the drunk driver, and pray for him. That's how God would have us all react - pray for His Grace, His Love, His Peace, His Comfort to surround and engulf these grieving families. STOP THE BLAME, STOP THE JUDGING - it won't change a thing. What has happened has happened - think about what you want people to do and say if you lost your loved one, or if your loved one was the one to blame for the deaths.
PROBABLY TEXTING! HOPE SHE GETS THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE!
ReplyDeleteDid you even article or just assume what happened?
DeleteIt is a he and it says in the article what happened.
DeleteTexting?? It says he was drunk!
DeleteThank you for pointing that out. The post has been changed to show the correct information.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic but I'm sorry, he should never get over it. His life is changed forever but I he difference is he has a life. A long life ahead of him and the choices he makes forward are again, his choices. In the meantime, one family ly has lost three family members, three lost lives all because of the poor choices he made. I have made poor choices myself, we all have. This is especially tragic unnecessarily.☹️
ReplyDeleteOne family lost two people the third was in the kids car an 18 year old
Deletethe girl that was driving car while drunk will have a life sentence,in her heart, here on earth!!...:(. sad she choose to do this..I do feel a judgement of sorts but not prison for life..pray for ALL involoved..
DeleteThe 17yr old has changed their life forever! But even more sad are the deaths & those families who must live without their loved one. A bad choice was made...to say the least. THINK before you get behind the wheel!
ReplyDeleteim just sry people had to die so he would learn that lesson
ReplyDeleteThere were only two in the other car, the 3rd fatality was her passenger. Prayers to all families involved.
ReplyDeleteUnless there was a mistake in the Highway Patrol report, McKay Harris is a male, not a female.
DeleteHe's a male. I know him.
DeleteHope the drunk rots in hell.
ReplyDeleteThat's not you're place to say. It's really ignorant of you to hope that upon someone. He made a mistake and you aren't helping the situation by making a dumb comment like that.
DeleteAwful you could say such a thing, I'm guessing since you referenced hell you believe in God....so now what does God tell us about this kind of judgement on others SMH. Yes it's awful the decision this Tenn made. And he will go to prison but good people make mistakes even fatal ones I don't know this young person but this mistake he lives with the rest of his life and guess what if his heart is truly sorry and repents and he turns from sin God WILL forgive him. And to the lost life's of the others God will wrap his grace and love around them and if they let him he'll start to help them heal. It won't change the pain of the loss if their loved ones but there is power only in God's healing and love.
DeleteI believe in God..His judgement is after we die, for that manto say that is very callous..
DeleteSo, the one drinking was the only one that lived?? Very sad...
ReplyDeleteThe person drunk is usually the one to survive. Sorry for the loss of the families.
ReplyDeletePUT HIS AS 8N JAIL FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!
ReplyDeleteHow terrible! Prayers for the families involved. To address the why only God knows. This is becoming an epidemic with younger generations. No respect for rules, lack of understanding that there are REAL consequences for decisions made. Teens please open your eyes and see its not a game or or challenge for you to break the law. They are in place to protect everyone on the road.
ReplyDeleteOne of the victims of this drunk teenager was a friend. A beautiful hard working RN that always had a smile for everyone. He also killed her Mother. Our hospital is devastated by the news of this senseless loss of Ronni and her Mother. I hope this drunk lives, gets tried as an adult and spends many many many years in prison. ��
ReplyDeletetragic for all involved. He will answer to the law of our but if your a Christian you are called to love and forgive. Be still and God will bring judgement and determine our paths.
ReplyDeleteHe should rot in prison. He's no better than a serial killer who murdered three people. That's what this is: murder.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is heinous. This boy needs to do time in prison. He stole the lives of 3 people.He is nothing like a serial killer. Those people hunt their victims and torture them. They are psociopaths and find pleasure in killing. There is no excuse for what this boy did, but he is a boy, not a man, and certainly not a cold, calculated serial killer. He made a horrible mistake and lost someone close to him as well. Back off a little bit. He is hurting.
DeleteThis young man has ruined the lives of so many, including his own. Please learn from his ignorance and don't let these lost live be forgotten. The irony...this beautiful soul, Ronni, was the one who would never let anyone drink and drive. She would come back and pick everyone up, so there would be no chances taken. She was an amazing nurse, we are better people for having known her.
ReplyDeleteMy son was very good friends with the one that passed. He was a good kid. All teenagers make mistakes some more than others. We was all that know it all teenager at one point in time. I know i was but we need to be that parent that our kids can come talk to and are not scared to come to. Let your children know you love them and will be upset with them drinking or something at a young age but that if they need u to come get them from a party or something where they done something they shouldnt you will come get them so they dnt drive drunk or get in a vehicle with someone that has been drinking. I will gladly give my number to any teenagers that need me to be that person.
ReplyDeleteSo everyone is going off on the dtiver, but how come nothing is being said about the person who gave it to him or sold it to him. That person needs the same punishment. I consider that aiding and abedding. Wish the law was as strict with him/her.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with that statement. Someone needs to be accountable for giving this young man access to alcohol in the first place.
Delete100 % preventable .....your choice to drink ...your choice to drive ...widowed by a drunk driver ...lives forever changed in a moment
ReplyDeleteYes where is the person who gave him the drinks? They were underage so why weren't they arrested too?
ReplyDeleteI have received and deleted two messages from friends of the driver. I have absolutely no problems with running comments from his friends, but if you want them to be published on this blog, you are going to have to make the comments without obscenities.
ReplyDeleteeveryone who is saying McKay is an alcoholic should definitely quit talking. he made one mistake. and if you think differently i can give you my address and you can pull up and we can settle this. you guys are ignorant and being nothing but inconsiderate. he has a daughter that he does NOTHING but try to provide for. so unless you know the circumstances quit talking or pull up for real.
ReplyDeleteOne mistake... DWI, no insurance, displayed the plates of another, minor in possession, and for not wearing a seat belt. That sounds like more than one mistake to me. Or are those not the circumstances? How was he providing for his daughter at 1am while driving drunk?? This kid was the inconsiderate one when he killed 3 people with his choice to drive drunk.
DeleteThis accident happened after 12 am. He was drunk and driving. As the person above me stated, he is being charged with A LOT of stuff- and more will come- as he KILLED 3 people.
DeleteWhat is wrong with you, dude? Trying to- what- fight people bc they have the audacity to be upset that the, yeah, selfish stupid decision he made ended the lives of three people? Grow up. I mean it. Take a long hard look in the mirror and realize that you are wrong here. Your friend will and SHOULD have to pay for this for the rest of his life. People SHOULD be upset about this. It is a completely senseless loss of life that he could have prevented. Your outrage is not directed at the person it should be.
And give me a break- he obviously did more than "only provide for his daughter" when he was out driving drunk at 1:20 in the morning on a Tuesday. Obviously. Don't try that. And you want me to- what- feel sympathy for him bc he has a kid? I don't- the mother of many he killed last night negates all of that.
How dare you threaten people over him. Fyi- as someone who learned this the hard way a bit a go- just bc they are your friends does not mean they are unable to do horrific things. Deal with it and deal with you attitude. It's not going to do you any favors. The Ducommuns are pillars in the community and people are ridiculously upset this happened. As they should be.
As a Christian, I cannot stand in judgment of this young man. All I can do is say this is very sad, and pray for him, the victims in this accident, and their families, including the family of the drunk driver. I also hope that someday, these drivers will wake up and understand that there is no good reason to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you are intoxicated. Plan a designated driver, or call a taxi service...many of them are free when you are intoxicated. There is just no excuse to drive when you have been drinking. If you do, this just might be YOU next time.
ReplyDeleteMay God be with every family in this. He is our judge! To the brother who posted I am sorry for ur tragic situation and for the family who lost loved ones may you all find peace somehow.praying for all involved.
ReplyDeleteSo sad I pray for everyone involved
ReplyDeleteHope he spends the rest of his life behind bars for what he has done. I know the driver, who has been abusing alcohol for years and am close friends with the Ducommun's. Very tragic but the has to be consequences for stupid act consequences for stupid actions That killed innocent people. Just look at his Facebook page. There's a picture of him and a buddy drinking beer posted two years ago when he would've only been 15 He should get life for this
ReplyDeleteIt was 10 in the morning, not 1:20 a.m.
ReplyDeleteAs a recovered alcoholic I agree that justice should be done. He made a terrible decision and cost the lives of 3 people. Yes, God will forgive him if he repents; but is also a just God. He will pay for his actions the rest of his life. It is sad; but that is the way it is! I was blessed that it didn't happen to me, because I drove drunk many times and it never entered my mind that I could have killed some body, too. Thank you Jesus for watching over me. My last drink & drunk was May 4, 1965 & I have never forgot my last drunk never forgot it. Alcohol is deadly & kills more people than all other drugs put together. God have mercy & His grace on the families at this terrible time in their lives.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding the boy died last night.
ReplyDeleteThis was my brother , for everyone who has commented such hateful things. He was not a bad person . He hurt people, but he passes away last night and our family is just as hurt. We know how much pain the other families are in. Please let him be in peace.
ReplyDelete