Initially the year was off to a good start when there were no holiday traffic fatalities in Missouri. However, the new year was only 32 hours old when the first traffic fatality was reported.
Newell Gillenwater, a Florida man, lost control of his vehicle in Madison County and his car struck a tree. He was killed and his passenger was rushed to a St. Louis hospital.
Another fatal accident occurred on January 17, 2014 in Clay County when one vehicle was forced from the road by a second vehicle. The accident took place at 6:49 a.m. as both vehicles were heading south on I-35 near mile marker 19.8. The two vehicles were driven by Pamela Wilson, 45, of Gallatin, Missouri, in a 2008 Mercury, and Bradley Abeln, 31, of Polo, Missouri, driving a 1987 Ford Bronco. Abeln had a passenger, Joshua Thomas, 32, of Hamilton, Missouri.
As both vehicles were headed southbound, suddenly Wilson left her own left lane and swerved into the right lane where Abeln was driving. The collision caused Abeln’s vehicle to skid into the guardrail, where the impact then caused it to overturn. Abeln and his passenger were thrown from the vehicle.
Both men sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Liberty Hospital. Abeln was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital and he did not survive. In the crash report the Missouri State Highway Patrol revealed that neither man was wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Abeln’s vehicle was completely totaled.
Wilson was not injured in the accident and did not need to be taken to the hospital. Her vehicle was towed, though it had only moderate damage.
This crash marks the third fatality for Troop A and the Liberty Police Department in 2014. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was also involved in the accident.
Two more fatalities occurred on Thursday, January 23, in an accident on Tanner Bridge in Cole County at 12:15 a.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a Jefferson City couple were driving near Vida Lane in a Ford Mustang, lost control of the vehicle, and both died.
Rebecca Wolken, 44, was driving and Mark Wolken was in the passenger seat. Rebecca was navigating a turn when she lost control of the vehicle. The Ford Mustang flipped over, rotating several times, and Rebecca was thrown from the vehicle.
The couple were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Reports indicate that Rebecca was speeding as she went into the turn and that neither person was wearing a seatbelt.
Missouri Automobile Accidents
After a fatal car accident, family members have a lot to deal with. In addition to personal matters, there may be questions regarding liability and entitlement to monetary damages. Consulting with an experienced Missouri car accident attorney can alleviate some of the feelings of uncertainty that overwhelm families in these difficult times. Other matters can seem more emergent, but as families can sometimes find themselves with significant medical bills and other expenses to pay, discussing these matters with a car accident attorney as soon as possible is beneficial. No part of these situations is easy, but having the support of an expert car accident attorney who is on your side and looking out for your interests can at least offer some peace of mind.
photo credit: Bryan Werner via Flickr
