Eugene man killed in early Saturday accident

File photo of Missouri State Highway Patrol car
File photo of Missouri State Highway Patrol car

A Eugene man - 30-year-old Richard J. Lowry - was killed early Saturday in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 54, about three-quarters of a mile east of Missouri 17.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said Lowry's eastbound 2002 Chevrolet Suburban ran off the left side of the highway, then became airborne and overturned.

He was not using a seatbelt, investigators said, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened at 12:29 a.m. Saturday.

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In a separate accident late Friday afternoon, two Cole County residents received minor injuries following a three-vehicle accident on state Route M, 300 feet west of Route Y near Taos.

The accident happened at 5:26 p.m. Friday when, the patrol said, a black sports utility vehicle slowed "abruptly" for a deer crossing the highway, and a 2008 Ford Taurus X, driven by Jessica L. Wheatley, 22, of Jefferson City, ran into the back of the SUV.

The patrol said a 2012 Honda Civic, driven by Kevin J. Prenger, 30, of Jefferson City, then rear-ended Wheatley's Taurus.

Wheatley and Prenger both were using seatbelts.

Wheatley was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment, but Prenger was not reported as seeking treatment.

Nothing is known about the driver of the SUV, because it left the scene immediately after the accident.

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A Rolla man was life-flighted to University Hospital in Columbia after he received serious injuries in a four-vehicle accident at 3:37 p.m. Friday.

An Iberia man received minor injuries in the same accident, which happened on U.S. 63 in Osage County, south of Freeburg and one quarter-mile north of the Maries County line.

Investigators said the accident happened when Verus P. Bosch, 72, of Henley, slowed to make a left turn with his northbound 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.

A northbound 1999 Kenworth truck cab, driven by Mitchell G. Herx, 32, Iberia, hit the rear of a northbound 2017 Ford F350, driven by Fred L. Herx, 54, of Iberia - and the father of Mitchell Herx.

Fred Herx received minor injuries, but refused medical treatment at the scene.

That collision pushed the Ford into the Silverado, and the Ford then crossed the centerline, striking a southbound 2017 Dodge Ram nearly head-on.

Aaron B. McDonald, 43, of Rolla, was driving the Dodge and received serious injuries; he was taken to the Columbia hospital by helicopter.

McDonald and Fred Herx were not using seatbelts, while Mitchell Herx and Bosch were using them, troopers said.