MSHP Reports 5 Traffic Fatalities, 0 Drownings, and 0 Boating Fatalities Over New Year’s Holiday Weekend

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday weekend:

Five people died and 59 were injured in 115 traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period.

2024 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics
Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 115
Traffic Crash Injuries — 59
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 3
DWI — 139

[Note: During the 2023 New Year’s holiday counting period, six people were killed and 345 injured in 925 traffic crashes statewide. During last year’s New Year’s holiday, troopers worked 236 of those crashes which included 81 injuries and 2 fatalities. Troopers arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated last year.]

One traffic fatality occurred in each of the following areas: Troop C, Weldon Spring Area, Troop D, Springfield area, and Troop G, Willow Spring area. The Columbia Missouri Police Department and the Kansas City Missouri Police
Department each worked one fatality crash.

One fatality occurred on December 29, 2023. Jeremy L. Moore, 40, of Springfield, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete bridge support. The crash occurred on Farm Road 102, west of Farm Road 151, north of Springfield. Moore was pronounced dead by Dr. Wycoff and Dr. Beard at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. Moore was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Three fatalities occurred on December 30, 2023. Joseph L. Kish, 42, of Lakeview, AR, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center of the road and struck another vehicle. The crash occurred on Highway 5, five miles south of Wasola. Kish was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Coroner Gene Britt. Kish was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the second vehicle was wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries in the crash. The crash is being investigated by the Patrol's Major Crash Investigation Unit. The Ozark County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Brady L. Ewing, 55, of Columbia, MO, died after being stuck by a vehicle. Ewing was a pedestrian. The crash occurred on East Broadway, west of North Fifth Street, in Columbia, MO. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The crash is being investigated by the Columbia Missouri Police Department.

Jeffrey M. Stoppelmann, 52, of Fenton, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the road, returned to the road, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a fence. Stoppelmann's vehicle then struck a large rock, overturned, and struck a tree. The crash occurred on Mapaville-Hematite Road, north of Debbie Drive, in Jefferson County. Stoppelmann was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Stoppelmann was not wearing a seat belt.

One fatality occurred on December 31, 2023. Hmdovzoo Vue, 19, of Kansas City, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the road, struck the center guardrail impact attenuator, and overturned. The crash occurred on 71 Highway near Truman Road. Vue was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash is being investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

There were no fatalities on January 1, 2024.

The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.”

Obituary - Gaynelle May Barnett

Gaynelle May Barnett, age 74, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. 

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. A reception for friends and family will follow at Johnny’s Tavern, 716 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083.

Gaynelle was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 28,1949 to William French and Phyllis (Hobbs) French. After graduating high school, Gaynelle dedicated much of her life honorably serving her country in the United States Marine Corps. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Gaynelle worked as a Relocation Specialist at Richards-Gebaur before ultimately retiring from there. In life Gaynelle was the biggest advocate for veterans and especially women in the Marine Corps. 

She was a master gardener as she received much joy from gardening. Gaynelle volunteered much of her time and energy with the Elks Lodge in Harrisonville where she gave back to the community and veterans. She also loved cooking, and later in life very much enjoyed her grandchildren.

Gaynelle was preceded in death by her parents, William and Phyllis French; and husband Mike Haas.

Here cherishing her memory are her loving daughter, Lisa Gould and her husband Nathaniel; her two grandchildren, Sawyer and Lucille Gould; sister, Lea Fendley and husband Jim; nephew Andy Fendley and his wife Helen.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Cass County Elks Lodge via mail at P.O. Box 768 Harrisonville, Missouri 64701-0768.

Obituary - Claude Eugene Robertson

Claude E. Robertson age 51 of Clinton, Missouri, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, January 5th, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Claude E. Robertson Memorial Fund and may be left in care of funeral home.

Claude Eugene Robertson was born on November 11, 1972 in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was the son of Eddie and Floria (Shaffer) Robertson.

Claude loved to hunting mushrooms, fishing, and loved to cook. He was a wonderful husband, father, and brother. He enjoyed working as a carpenter, playing his guitar and listening to music. A dream of his was to have another Harley Davidson someday.

Claude is survived by his wife Natasha of the home, six children; Claude Robertson Jr., Paris Robertson, Breezey Robertson, Grace Robertson, Lance Robertson, and Garrett Robertson, four sisters; Tina Davis, Angela True, Amy Lyman, and Donna Blevins, 7 nephews and 5 nieces, and numerous aunts, uncles and family and friends.

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

Dense Fog Advisory

Fog is starting to develop, and is expected to linger into the morning. If you are driving, please turn the low-beam headlights on, give yourself extra time, and increase following distance.

Obituary - Mark Edwin Disselhoff

Mark Edwin Disselhoff, 57, of Adrian, MO passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, MO. 

The family will be having a memorial service on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Adrian, MO with a visitation at 1 p.m. 

A full obituary will be posted as it becomes available.

Obituary - Leslie "Francine" Riggs

Leslie Francine Riggs, 62 of Nevada, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Francine was born on April 22, 1961, in Nevada, MO to Alfred and Rosetta (Owens) Nichols. She married Gerald “Jerry” Riggs on April 21, 1989 in Nevada.

Francine was raised in Nevada and attended Nevada High School. She worked in food service at Cottey College and Nevada Middle School, at On My Own for several years, and the Nevada Habilitation Center for 14 years until retiring due to illness. Francine loved being with family and spending time with her grandchildren.

Francine is survived by her husband, Jerry, of the home; her children, John Murphy (Megan), Nevada, MO, and Shea Moore (Brandon), Centerton, AR; 7 grandchildren, Jeremiah, Madison, Jamin, Jaxson, Gabriel, Natalie, Camden; and her mother, Rosetta Nichols, Nevada, MO. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Lester Nichols; and her father- and mother-in law, Junior and Betty Riggs.

Memorial services for Francine Riggs will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Ray Adams officiating. Committal will follow at a later date in Newton Burial Park. Those who wish may contribute in Francine’s memory to the COPD Foundation in c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO.

Obituary - Timothy Rex Bruce

Timothy Rex Bruce was born to Rex and Betty Bruce in Nevada, MO on November 12, 1977. He departed this world to his heavenly home on December 30, 2023. His favorite song was “I Can Only Imagine” and we can only imagine the joy beaming from his face as he entered heaven’s gates to see his Father’s face for the first time. Tim attended Sulphur Springs Baptist Church near El Dorado Springs, MO with his family as a child. He took the Lord to be his Savior while attending this church. 

Tim grew up on his family’s farm in Walker, MO, gaining a love for the outdoors and hunting. He attended Walker School, graduating with class of 1996. He actively participated in the Walker 4-H during his childhood and had a love for the club throughout his life, sharing this passion with his children. He was a huge supporter of the Vernon County Youth Fair.

Tim was blessed with two amazing children, Dalton Lane and Hadley Lynn. He considered them his greatest blessings and his pride and joy. He loved watching his children grow and being an active part of their lives. Being a dad was the highlight of his life. He never missed a game or an activity his kids were a part of. His joy was multiplied when his grandson, Bexon Lane, entered his world in 2017.

He was an avid hunter and sports fan. Some of his most treasured memories come from hunting with his son Dalton. During high school he played baseball and basketball for his high school team, the Walker Pirates. Tim loved to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and was a lifelong fan of KU Jayhawks. He was thrilled when his daughter Hadley decided to attend KU to pursue her college degree. Hadley and Tim had many special adventures on the KU campus watching games and meeting one of his idols, Bill Self, a bucket list check off.

Tim was great with his hands, creating many splendors of work through woodworking and tinkering on vehicles for friends and family. He could easily put together a project without a diagram, only using his visual skills.

Tim also had amazing cooking skills. He is best known for his smoked meats and chili that could set your mouth on fire. Not many dared to eat the chili, but Tim. He also loved to grow the hottest peppers around and create his own seasoning blends. Trust us, nobody else could eat that fire-hot blend either.

Tim was a hard worker throughout his life. Before graduating, Tim worked on the Burch Farm helping to haul hay during the summers. Shortly after graduation he worked for Murphy Family Farms. Later, working at 3M, ADM labs and most recently Eagle Picher in Joplin. He considered his colleagues at Eagle Picher to be his second family.

Preceding Tim in death were his grandparents and his father, Rex Bruce.

Survivors include his mother, Betty Bruce; his son, Dalton (Caitlin) Bruce and grandson, Bexon Bruce; daughter, Hadley Bruce; sister, Tammy (Gavon) Hutchison and nephew, Landon Hutchison. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and beloved friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Scotty Pritchett officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Those who wish may contribute in Tim's memory to the Vernon County Youth Fair in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Bates County Sheriff's Office Promotions

Please help us congratulate Justin Corbin for his promotion to the position of Chief Deputy. Justin graduated the Missouri Sheriff's Association's Police Academy held at the Cass County Sheriff's Office in 2009. Justin began his law enforcement career with the Bates County Sheriff's Office immediately after graduation.

During his almost 16 year career with the Sheriff's Office, Justin has served as a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, K9 Handler, Narcotics Investigator, Firearms Instructer, Sniper, SERT Commander, and Captain.

Justin is a member of the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad, CNET Drug Taskforce, Heartland Tactical Officers Association, Missouri Narcotics Officers Association, Missouri Police Canine Associations, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 and the Western Missouri Critical Incident Investigation Team.
Justin is a Bates County native and brings experience and leadership to the position.

Please help us congratulate Justin Shaffer for his promotion to the position of Captain. Justin graduated the Missouri Sheriff's Association's Police Academy held at the Cass County Sheriff's Office in 2009. Justin began his law enforcement career with the Henry County Sheriff's Office immediately after graduation. Justin came to work for the Bates County Sheriff's Office in 2010.

During his 15 year career at the Sheriff's Office, Justin started as a Detention Officer and then moved to a Patrol Deputy position. In 2012 Justin became the second K9 Deputy. Justin was then promoted to his current rank of Patrol Sergeant. Justin is still an active K9 handler, Mounted Horse Patrol and a member of the SERT Team.

Justin is a member of the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad, Heartland Tactical Officers Association, Missouri Police Canine Assocations, and Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50.

Justin is also a Bates County native and brings experience and leadership to the position.

Please help us congratulate Jeremy Davis for his promotion to the position of Detective. Jeremy graduated the University of Central Missouri Police Academy in Warrensburg in 2009. Jeremy began his law enforcement career as a Dentention Officer at the Pettis County Sheriff's Office. Jeremy came to the Bates County Sheriff's Office in late 2009.

During his almost 16 year career with the Sheriff's Office, Jeremy has served as a Patrol Deputy and was later promoted to a Patrol Sergeant. Jeremy is a Taser Instructor, Certified Drone Pilot and a member of the SERT Team.

Jeremy is a member of the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad, Heartland Tactical Officers Association, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 and the Western Missouri Critical Incident Investigation Team.

Jeremy brings experience and leadership to the position