DRIVERS KILLED IN BUTLER AND NEW MADRID COUNTY VEHICLE INCIDENTS
Drivers were killed following vehicle collisions in Butler and New Madrid County on Sunday.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that in Butler County, a vehicle pulled into the path of and struck another oncoming vehicle on US 60, east of Poplar Bluff. The traveling car then travelled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The driver, 60 year old William Chambers, of Poplar Bluff, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In New Madrid County, a crash took place on US 60, east of US 61, where a vehicle struck the rear of another traveling car. The driver of the first vehicle, 58 year old Karen Steele, of Naylor, was pronounced at the scene.
CARUTHERSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING HOMICIDE
Officials with the Caruthersville Police Department are currently investigating a homicide.
Few details are available at this time, however, the department is currently searching for a suspect after a report of a homicide was called in at a home on Grand Avenue on Sunday morning.
More information will be available as the investigation proceeds. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Caruthersville Police Department by calling 573-333-0000.
THREE ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
Three people were taken into custody in Butler County over the weekend on drug possession charges.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, on Friday, 49 year old Penny Eltannir and 46 year old Joseph Powell, both of Poplar Bluff, were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of marijuana.
On Saturday, 41 year old Leeanda Loveless, of Wappapello, was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
They were all transported to the Butler County Jail following their arrests.
THREE DEATHS REPORTED FROM VEHICLE CRASHES IN PEMISCOT COUNTY
Three deaths were reported in Pemiscot County from vehicle crashes over the weekend.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on Friday, a vehicle failed to yield at a railroad crossing at Gettings Lane in Hayti, and was struck by an oncoming train. The car overturned, and was flung into a ditch from the collision. The driver, 52 year old Titusan Townsend, of Columbia, and an occupant, 51 year old Ricky Tillman, of Kennett, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, a crash occurred on Highway O, east of Interstate 55, where a vehicle went off the left side of the roadway and struck an embankment, causing it to overturn. The driver, 42 year old Corey Vandyke – who was not wearing a safety device at the time of the crash – was pronounced at the scene.
ADDITIONAL CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
More cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Southeast Missouri.
Butler County has seen an advisory increase from green to yellow after its 300th case of the virus was reported after 18 patients tested positive for the disease. The Butler County Health Department is requiring all visitors to wear a mask or face covering at all times when inside the building, and the Poplar Bluff Amtrak station has been temporarily closed to visitors.
Ripley County saw its 73rd patient after 23 new cases were reported, 16 of which are from the Colonial Home assisted living center in Doniphan. All of the residents who tested positive have been placed into quarantine.
The CDC will be working with the Counties health departments to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patients were active and infectious.
In Missouri, as of Sunday, there are a total of 67,475 cases of the virus in the state, and 1,367 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, including fever, shortness of breath, or persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
PEMISCOT COUNTY MAN SENTENCED ON METHAMPHETAMINE CONSPIRACY
A Pemiscot County man was sentenced to time in incarceration due to his involvement in a drug distribution conspiracy.
According to officials with the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Department, 36 year old Korey Johnson, of Hayti, was sentenced to 17 years on conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, after an investigation by multiple County Police Departments discovered that he oversaw individuals conspiring to deliver methamphetamine from the southwest region of the United States to the Eastern District of Missouri.
Johnson admitted to distributing over 20 pounds of meth over a year's time, and authorities seized over $130,000 worth of drug proceedings in the investigation.
Authorities from the DEA, Department of Homeland Security, Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force, and Police with Caruthersville and Hayti, as well as Pemiscot, Dunklin and New Madrid Counties assisted with the investigation.
