Two killed in Cole County wreck

First responders and law enforcement personnel responded to the scene of a three-vehicle wreck at Route C and South Country Club Drive that killed two on Wednesday. Photo by Julie Smith.

By Jeff Haldiman

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A double fatality, three-vehicle crash caused a major traffic tie-up southwest of Jefferson City about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Donald A. Edwards, 58, Russellville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joan D. Hamilton, 75, Lenexa, Kan., died at Capital Region Medical Center at 11:39 a.m.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that Damien T. Bryan, 40, Jefferson City, was northbound in a 1981 Ford F-150 truck as he tried to cross Route C at the South Country Club Spur.

Troopers said Bryan failed to yield to Hamilton’s eastbound 2004 Lexus, hitting her car in the passenger side.

It overturned and landed in the path of Edwards’ westbound 1995 Chevrolet Blazer, hitting the Blazer on the front driver’s side.

Bryan suffered only minor injuries and was treated at St. Mary’s Health Center.

Troopers said all three drivers were wearing seat belts.

Route C was closed for nearly five hours, as a patrol accident reconstruction team investigated the collision. It reopened about 3:35 p.m.

The patrol did not report whether it would seek any charges.

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gofish 1 year, 8 months ago

Looks like Bryan is well known to law enforcement for his wreckless behavior. Casenet shows multiple criminal convictions for drugs, dwi, driving without a license, stealing, etc. He also was sentenced to 3 years in DOC.

Another point, for all of the Hwy 54 crossover fanatics. Rte C is a 60 mph zone and it still didn't prevent a fatal crossover type accident. No law or speed limit will prevent poor judgement. But the thought is understandable.

Any cop will tell you, the cause of most accidents is speed and inattention.

yonomo 1 year, 8 months ago

I like how people are so quick to jump to CaseNet to dig up the issues from someones past and add it to an already bad situation. It's not bad enough that you just caused an accident that killed two people, but let me remind you of what else you have done wrong in your life. Sure, this guy may be someone that doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, but I don't know him so think twice about rushing to judgement.

JCLifer 1 year, 8 months ago

It serves as a good reminder how ineffective the current justice system is. "Catch and release" criminals; a few months of unsupervised probation; prisons that are nicer than our schools; coddling prisoners; etc. Our justice system needs some real reform. Turn the prisons into hell holes of extreme uncomfort and terror. Make prison the last place a perpetrator would ever want to go. Maybe then we could start to lower the crime rates and reduce the recidivism.

jcmom69 1 year, 8 months ago

I apologize, however, this is exactly why criminal history is important.. Public records are accessible for a reason. Judgement comes to those who repeat behaviors/patterns. As I apologize that feelings may be hurt in certain statements, there really is no basis for people NOT to judge when you combine the negligent actions with those of recent past. Some of us also know this man, and in doing so feel *judgement came long before this happened. It is just very unfortunate and sad that yet another error in his own judgement has made 2 innocent families bury their loved ones. Kind of ironic isn't it..

logansgranny 1 year, 8 months ago

First of all-my deepest sympathy to the families of the ones who died. You would think an accident of this magnitude would make people stop and think and maybe slow down a little bit. I travel this road every day. Tonight, on my way home about 6:30 P.M., there were about 4 or 5 vehicles, mine included, driving about 60 mph. We had 3 different vehicles pass, weaving in and out of traffic. It's as if they were on I-44 or I-70 and had to drive 70-80 mph. SLOW DOWN PEOPLE--Think of the consequences of your actions!!

hudson 1 year, 8 months ago

Our justice system is not about justice ! It is about money !

jcmom69 1 year, 8 months ago

Amen to that!

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