3 Off Road Vehicle Wrecks Over Weekend

(Southeast, MO)  A rash of off road vehicle accidents from the weekend have several people recovering from various injuries. A woman from Fredericktown, 29 year old Chelsea R. Durham, is suffering serious injuries after she was involved in a one vehicle wreck with a four wheel off road vehicle Saturday afternoon in St. Francois County. Highway Patrol reports show the crash took place at 2:44 as 33 year old Corey O. Johnson, of Park Hills, was driving the ORV south in a mine tailings area at St. Joe State Park when it struck a patch of water, hit a hole in the ground, and rolled over. Durham was flown to SSM Health at St. Louis University Hospital while Johnson, who received minor injuries, was also taken, by private conveyance, to SSM Health. They were both wearing a safety device at the time of the accident.

          In the second accident a 17 year old male juvenile from Potosi is recovering from moderate injuries after a one vehicle wreck in a four wheel off road vehicle Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock in Washington County. Highway Patrol reports show the juvenile was driving the ORV north on Palmer Road, a half mile north of route Z, when it ran through standing water and rolled over. The teen was not wearing a safety device when the wreck took place. He was taken to Mercy Hospital South at St. Louis.

          The third accident has a Fredericktown teenager, 19 year old Emily K. McDowell, recovering from serious injuries after she was hurt in a one vehicle wreck in Madison county involving an off road vehicle. Highway Patrol reports show 50 year old Timothy L. Rollins of Festus, was driving the ORV east on County Road 257, 10 miles east of Fredericktown, just after 10:30 Saturday night, when he failed to negotiate a right hand curve. The vehicle ran off the left side of the road and crashed into a ditch. Two passengers were injured including McDowell, who was flown to Mercy Hospital South at St. Louis, and 53 year old Terry J. Savage of Festus. She received minor injuries and was taken to Madison Medical Center at Fredericktown.