Driver charged with 4 counts of DWI after striking four people in Harrisonville

Gretchen A. Otterberg

The Cass County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed 4 counts of DWI – Serious Physical Injury against Gretchen A. Otterberg, of Harrisonville, regarding the motor vehicle crash that occurred last night. Gretchen has been given a $10,000 10% cash bond. In other words, for $1,000 cash she can be released from jail. We were advised that the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office asked a $100,000 bond.

The incident occurred at 6:52pm, while 4 family members were walking north on S. Oakland Street. The family members included a mother, her 9-year-old son and her elderly parents, who had just arrived in the United States from Peru. They had eaten dinner and chosen to take a walk. Gretchen, who chose to drink and drive, left and began traveling north on S. Oakland until she suddenly struck the 4 family members. 

The elderly grandparents sustained more serious injuries. By some miracle, the 9-year-old suffered minor injuries and has since been released from the hospital. As of today, the grandparents are still hospitalized, with critical injuries. The mother, who is stable with serious injuries, is also still in the hospital. This investigation is ongoing.

Courtesy of the Harrisonville Police Department 

Barton County Sheriff's Office: Vehicle Pursuit Ends Southwest of Columbus Kansas after vehicle runs out of Gas

In the early morning hours of 11-20-2018, Barton County Deputy Kainen Nance, attempted to make a traffic stop on a 2017 Dodge Charger on HWY 126 east of I-49 for speeding and several lane violations. Once the Deputy activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop the vehicle sped up to a high rate of speed heading west bound.

Deputy Nance began pursuing the vehicle along several highways and County roads entering into Jasper County, Crawford County, KS and then into Cherokee County, KS. The vehicle then ran out of fuel south-west of Columbus, KS and the driver and passenger fled on foot in opposing directions through crop fields. Deputy Nance was able to apprehend the driver as Deputy Haven Clemons chased and apprehended the passenger in the vehicle. 

Both the driver, Collin P. Gepford and passenger John A. Withrow had active felony warrants for their arrest. A search of the vehicle was conducted and drug paraphernalia was recovered. Both suspects were taken into custody by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. 

Deputies later located a stolen handgun and controlled substances along the route of the pursuit on 126 Highway. The suspects are accused of throwing the items from the vehicle during the chase. Reports will be sent to the Barton County Prosecutor for formal filing of criminal charges.

This was the second Vehicle chase that Colin Gepford has been involved in within our county. 

On 12-3-2016 Deputy Toby Luce pursued Gepford in Barton County and was assisted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Department of Conservation in apprehending Gepford.

Stolen truck from Henry County

The Henry County Sheriff's Office is attempting to locate a stolen white 2005 Ford F-350 truck with a Missouri license number of 16B-7AG that was stolen between 6pm last night and 7am this morning.

The vehicle was stolen from 1088 SE Highway C in rural Henry County.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Henry County Sheirff's Office or your local law enforcement.


Copyright Mid America Live News 

Obituary - James Robert "Bob" Hodge Jr.

James Robert “Bob” Hodge, Jr., 85, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Wilshire at Lakewood Care Center, Lee's Summit, MO. 

Services are pending at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville. 

A complete obituary will be added when the information becomes available.

Update: 4 pedestrians injured after being struck by drunk driver in Harrisonville

On 12/19/18 around 6:55pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Harrisonville Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle that had struck a group of pedestrians around the area of Oakland Street just north of Garden Drive in Harrisonville.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2017 Dodge Journey driven by 48 year old Gretchen A. Otterberg of Harrisonville, Missouri was northbound on Oakland Street and struck 4 pedestrians who were walking in the roadway.

The four injured were 9 year old Andrew Holloway. 42 year old Patricia L. Holloway both of Harrisonville, Missouri. 63 year old Marcelino N. Huamani-Alhuay and 60 year old Ysabel V. Leyua-Inocente both of Lima, Peru.

All four sustained serious injuries in this accident and all four were transported to KU Medical Center for treatment.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene for suspicion of drinking and driving. The 9 year old child was released from the hospital early Thursday morning. We ask you keep the victims in your prayers.

Mid America Live News will update when and if charges are filed in this incident.

Copyright Mid America Live News 

*Disclaimer: Accident reports are courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and are a matter of public record no matter the age of a occupant involved.

Obituary - Charlcye Faye Compton

Charlcye Faye Compton, 83 of Clinton, Missouri passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. 

Funeral Service will be on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home at 11am with visitation one hour prior to service. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Charlcye was born in Paintsville, Kentucky on May 7, 1935 to Charles and Hazel (Daniels) Spradlin. She was a homemaker and loved to cook. Charlcye enjoyed playing cards, loved reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Charlcye was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John R. Compton Sr. on March 21, 1989.

Charlcye is survived by her son, John R. Compton Jr. (Rhonda), West Virginia, daughters, Connie Dorl (Mitch), Clinton, Missouri, Mellisa Ann Lefmann (Scott), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, brother, Ben Spradlin (Shelby), Martin, Kentucky, grandchildren, Charity Martinez, Michael Martinez, Robbie Compton, Heather Davis, Tony Davis, Jason Williams, Kari Martin, great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Sizemore, Hailey Davis, Jason Williams, Cameron Martin, KC Compton, Michael Martinez Jr., and Alexander Martinez.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary - Lana Lea Dupus

Lana Lea Dupus of Independence, Missouri was born January 14, 1967 in Syracuse, Kansas the daughter of Larry William Dupus and Linda (Harmon) Humphrey. She departed this life on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at her home in Independence, Missouri at the age of 51 years, 11 months and 1 day.

Lana was loved by her parents and guardian. She was also cared for with love by her providers and staff at Austen-Dooley in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Lana is survived by her mother, Linda Humphrey, Russell, Kansas; her father and step-mother, Larry and Norma Dupus, Hoyt, Kansas; her sister, Jamie Derr, McCracken, Kansas; two half brothers, Kevin Dupus, Weatherford, Texas, Greg Dupus, Lipan, Texas; a step-sister, Sheila Trehan, Mesquite, Texas; other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Graveside services will be held Friday, December 21, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aline, Oklahoma.

The family will receive friends Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Obituary - Margaret "Marge" I. Cook

Margaret "Marge" I. Cook, 89, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 a the Crown Care Center, Harrisonville.

She is survived by two grandsons, Rusty Hopkins and wife Kathy, Garden City, Missouri, Chad Hopkins and wife Stacie, Archie, Missouri; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be published when it becomes available.