West Plains, MO. – The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released their official report on the fatal crash that occurred during the night of Wednesday, December 27th.
Three vehicles were involved in this accident. The first was a southbound Jeep Cherokee, the second was a northbound Mercury Grand Marquis, and the last was a northbound Freightliner Semi. In this accident report, it is stated that the driver of the Jeep crossed the center of the roadway and struck the Marquis, causing it to travel off the roadway. The Jeep then continued, striking the semi truck head-on. The semi similarly travelled off the roadway. All vehicles were totaled in the accident.
The only injury listed is the lone fatality and driver of the Jeep Cherokee: Katherine Welch, a 32-year-old Thayer, MO, resident who was pronounced deceased by Howell County Coroner Tim Cherry at 5:41 p.m. This marks the 41st fatality for Troop G in 2023, as opposed to 32 this time last year.
