Troopers respond to several deadly crashes over Memorial Day weekend
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
At least six people died in crashes over the Memorial Day weekend, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
According to a news release, troopers investigated four of those wrecks, including one in Camden County. Troopers said a driver went off the road Monday and hit a tree on Route D in Eldridge. Leonard Byars, 80, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Springfield Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the other two crashes.
Troopers investigated a total of 270 crashes, 82 of which involved injuries. Troopers investigated 112 DWI incidents and made 77 drug-related arrests. There were fewer crashes this year compared to 2020 when troopers investigated 310 crashes, which resulted in 126 injuries.
The patrol also reported one boating-related death and one drowning during the 2021 holiday period. That period ran from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday. The drowning happened Saturday in Iron County. The boating death happened Sunday in Maries County. Troopers said Paul Becker, 77, of Crocker fell overboard and did not resurface.
Troopers reported a total of 10 boating crashes, which involved two injuries. Last year, troopers responded to 11 boating crashes, which involved seven injuries and one death.
