Seven traffic deaths, two boating deaths, one drowning reported over Labor Day weekend

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Seven people died in traffic crashes, two people died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2024 Labor Day holiday weekend. The 2024 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 2.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following enforcement activity during 2024 Labor Day holiday:

MSHP Traffic Statistics (preliminary):

Crashes - 233
Injuries - 115
Fatalities - 7
DWI - 108
Drug Arrests - 5

MSHP Boating Statistics (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 3
Injuries ─ 8
Fatalities ─ 2
BWI - 8
Drownings - 1
Drug Arrests - 0

2024 Labor Day Holiday Boating Statistics

Troopers investigated three boating crashes, which included eight injuries and two fatalities. Troopers made eight boating while intoxicated arrests. One person drowned over the holiday weekend. The two fatalities and the drowning occurred in the Troop F, Jefferson City, area.

Drowning Incident

The drowning occurred on Saturday, August 31, 2024. William R. Hitzemann, 45, of Weldon Spring, MO, attempted to swim to shore from a vessel. While swimming Hitzemann became distressed and unable to make it to the shore. He was not wearing a life jacket. This drowning occurred at Golden Eagle Lake in Montgomery County. The Patrol was assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

Boating Fatality

Two boating fatalities occurred on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Reven N. Newbound, 30, and a juvenile, 7, both of Owensville, MO, died when the vessel Newbound was operating struck a root wad causing the vessel to collide with a rock bluff. The juvenile was wearing a life jacket and Newbound was not wearing a life jacket at the time of collision. Both subjects were pronounced deceased by Osage County Coroner A.J. Probst. Five other occupants on the vessel received injuries. The crash occurred on the Gasconade River, near Pointers Creek.

2024 Labor Day Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers worked 233 traffic crashes, which included 115 injuries and seven fatalities. Troopers also made 108 DWI arrests.

Fatality Traffic Crashes

One fatality happened in both Troop E, Poplar Bluff, and Troop H, St. Joseph, areas. Three fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area, and two fatalities occurred in Troop F, Jefferson City, area.

One person died during the counting period on Friday, August 30, 2024. Karen L. Bauer, 65, of Jackson, MO, died when the vehicle she was a passenger in traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch. Bauer was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Cape Girardeau County Deputy Coroner Scott Wren pronounced Bauer at the scene. The crash occurred on northbound Interstate 55, in Cape Girardeau County. The driver of the vehicle sustained moderate injuries; he was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

Four people died Saturday, August 31, 2024. Osage Beach Police Officer Phylicia F. Carson, 33, of Lake Ozark, MO, died while in pursuit of a violator. The vehicle she was driving crossed the center of the roadway, began to skid, traveled off the left side of the roadway, and stuck a tree. After impacting the tree, the vehicle caught fire. Carson was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on Route A, near Toronto Springs Park Road. Camden County Medical Examiner Drew Hall pronounced Carson deceased at the scene.

Kevin R. Schiele, 32, of St. Louis, MO, a pedestrian, died when he was struck by a vehicle on Missouri Highway 367 in St. Louis County. Schiele was walking across the northbound lane of Missouri Highway 367 when he was struck. He was pronounced deceased at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department and Moline Acres Police Department.

Ali Nazemi-Tabrizi, 68, of Ballwin, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway, striking a utility box and a tree. Nazemi-Tabrizi was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crashed occurred in St. Charles County on westbound Interstate 64. Nazemi-Tabrizi was pronounced deceased at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis.

James R. Moore, 66, of Auxvasse, MO, died when the motorcycle he was operating begin to skid, travelled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a ditch. Moore was ejected; he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on westbound Interstate 70, in Callaway County. Moore was pronounced deceased at the scene by Callaway County EMS Supervisor Margaret Kriegesmann. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Missouri Park Rangers.

One person died in a traffic crash on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Luci N. Pineda, 38, of Farmington, MN, died when she was struck by another vehicle. Pineda had been involved in a prior crash and her vehicle had come to rest on its top in the middle of southbound I-35. She exited her vehicle, and another vehicle struck her and her vehicle. The crash occurred on Interstate 35, in DeKalb County. Pineda was pronounced at the scene by DeKalb County Coroner Heath Turner. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Cameron Police Department and Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.

One person died in a traffic crash on Monday, September 2, 2024. Susan C. Horan, 67, Festus, MO, died when she made a left turn onto southbound U.S. Highway 67, into the path of another vehicle. Horan’s vehicle was struck in the driver’s side and she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 67, in Jefferson County. Horan was pronounced deceased at Mercy Hospital Jefferson, Festus, MO.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.