One killed, One seriously injured in Vernon County crash

On Friday evening March 31st around 10:10 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a head on crash on Missouri 54 Highway around 1.5 miles east of Nevada.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2010 Nissan Altima driven by 58 year old Gordon S. Buttorff of Walker, Missouri crossed the centerline of traffic and struck the 2019 Jeep Renegade driven by 21 year old Samuel O. Spring of El Dorado Springs, Missouri head on.

Gordon S. Buttorff was pronounced dead at the scene of this crash by the Vernon County Coroners Office. He was transported to Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Samuel O. Spring sustained serious injuries and he was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri for treatment.

Both vehicles were totaled and both were towed from the scene of this accident by Garwood's Wrecker Service of Nevada. This is Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 19th fatality of the year 2023.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230165526