Joplin residents injured in three-vehicle, chain reaction crash on Schifferdecker

Two Joplin residents were injured in a three-vehicle accident 6:50 a.m. today on Schifferdecker Avenue, a quarter of a mile south of Joplin.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Dwayne J. Milligan, 33, Joplin, struck a stopped 2016 Nissan Sentra driven by Diane R. Ortlinghas, 54, Joplin, causing it to lurch forward and hit a 1994 Ford Mustang driven by Hudson R. Lankford, 22, Joplin, which was also stopped.

Ortlinghas and a passenger and her vehicle, Skye N. Allee, 40, Joplin, were treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital, Joplin.

Highway Patrol Arrests January 1-2

Keisha N. McCracken, 36, Neosho, misdemeanor Neosho Police Department warrant for failure to appear on driving while revoked, misdemeanor Seneca Police Department for failure to appear on defective equipment, driving while revoked, failure to register motor vehicle, no insurance

Ryan J. Tucker, 32, Carl Junction, misdemeanor Joplin Police Department warrants for failure to appear on driving while revoked and no insurance

Garld H. Zeigler, 58, Ponce De Leon, felony Stone County warrant for assault







Andrew J. Wilson, 45, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked

Paula J. Blevins, 31, Springfield, felony delivery of a controlled substance, felony possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance at a secured facility-methamphetamine, felony no valid license, possession of drug paraphernalia

Jennifer A. LaRue, 49, Fordland, driving while intoxicated, no valid license

No traffic deaths reported in Missouri during New Year's holiday counting period

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that no one died in a traffic crash during the 30-hour 2020 New Year’s holiday counting period. Last year, there were 11 fatalities during the much longer 102-hour counting period. The 2020 New Year’s counting period ran from 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019, through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

2020 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers investigated the following:

Crashes ― 72
Injuries ― 34
Fatalities ― 0
DWI ― 56

[Note: During the 2019 New Year’s counting period, 1,301 traffic crashes, which included 447 injured and 11 fatalities. Troopers made 130 arrests for driving while impaired during the 2019 New Year’s holiday. There were no boating crashes. No one drowned over the 2019 New Year’s counting period.]

Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Twitter @MSHPTrooperGHQ


Note: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent to the media.

Fire call in Liberal area results in discovery of remnants of stolen vehicle

(From the Barton County Sheriff's Office)

On 12-30-2019 The Barton County Dispatch received a call of a vehicle fire on NW 60th Ln north of V Hwy in Barton County.

First Responders from the Liberal Fire Department, and the Barton County Ambulance responded to the scene. Barton County Sheriff Mitchell Shaw and troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol also responded.  

After the fire was put out by the Liberal Fire Department, the vehicle was towed from the scene. 

With the assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, we were able to locate a vehicle identification number on the frame of the vehicle and after running the numbers it was found the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Cherokee County Kansas. 

The investigation continues in the case.

Joplin police officers retiring

(From the Joplin Police Department)

We would like to congratulate two Joplin Officers that will be retiring this Friday. Congratulations to Chief Matt Stewart and Detective Justin Barnett. Thank you for 20 years of service to the community and agency. We wish you well in your future adventures. If you see them this week be sure to tell them congratulations.

Oklahoma man injured as vehicle becomes airborne, hits two fences, a pole, a motor home and a shed

An Oklahoma man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 8:20 p.m. Tuesday on MO 43 in Seneca.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2006 Dodge Durango driven by Roeac N. Crotzer, 48, Oklahoma City, failed to stop at a stop sign, became airborne and struck a fence, a pole, a parked motor home and a shed, then overturned and struck another fence.

Crotzer was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Hospital, Joplin.

Highway Patrol Arrests December 31-January 1

Angela Conlee, 32, Willard, Polk County warrant for failure to appear on failure to register motor vehicle and no insurance

Cory J. Schooling, 47, Carthage, Jasper County warrant for failure to appear on possession of marijuana, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, speeding, driving while revoked

Roger S. Ellis, 19, Nixa, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, failed to display plates, no proof of insurance, minor visibly intoxicated

Cecilia Zuniga, 27, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding, driving while revoked, excessive window tint







Taylor N. Vestring, 24, Ozark, driving while intoxicated, speeding, registration violation

Floyd E. Baker, 26, Kimberling City, driving while intoxicated, failure to drive on right half of roadway

Kayla D. Pipes, 34, Mount Vernon, felony Laclede County warrant for failure to appear on possession of marijuana

Tristan A. Williams, 33, Branson, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding

Nicholas A. Davis, 20, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance in a county jail- methamphetamine, felony possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, felony possession of a controlled substance- THC wax, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, failure to affix license plate







Caleb J. Dunning, 22, Seymour, felony possession of a controlled substance in a county jail-methamphetamine, felony possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, Webster County misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear on no insurance and failure to yield, Fordland Police Department misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on possession of marijuana, Seymour Police Department warrant for failure to appear on failure to register motor vehicle, no seat belt

Maryann M. Mitchell, 39, Branson, felony Lawrence County warrant for probation violation

Jimmie F. Goldman, 55, Aurora, felony Lawrence County warrant for driving while suspended/revoked

Wesley A. Gold, 42, Pierce City, misdemeanor counterfeiting (two counts), no license, failure to register, no seat belt