Three killed in wrong-way driver crash, Neosho, Mo. teen flown trauma to Joplin

PINEVILLE, Mo. — Just after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night reports of a head-on collision on US-71 just north of Brush Creek Road in the city limits of Pineville alerted McDonald County E911.

Pineville Fire Dept, Pineville Marshals, McDonald County Sheriff’s Deputies and Freeman Ambulance responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT were notified. White Rock Fire responded to assist.

On the scene Trooper Randy Morris tells us one vehicle, 2014 Nissan Versa, with three persons was traveling the wrong way, south in the northbound lanes, on divided US-71. This is about 2 miles south of the I-49/US-71 junction. All three in that vehicle died at the scene. 

Those killed include the driver, Kyler Johnson, 29, of Washburn, Mo. Passengers Joseph Lynch, 58, of Powell, Mo. and a 15-year-old juvenile male of Washburn.

The northbound victim vehicle, 2011 Toyota Prius, driven by a 17-year-old Neosho, Mo. female.  She was flown trauma to a Joplin hospital. 

The Major Crash Investigation Unit (MCIU) of Troop D were summoned to the scene to map crash for investigation.

US-71 was closed northbound at MO-90 until about 2 a.m.

Fatal traffic crash. Next of kin notified. [Nissan] travelled southbound in the northbound lane and struck [Toyota]. All three occupants were pronounced deceased at 9:35 p.m. by Deputy McDonald County Coroner Jonathan Fletcher.” – Tpr Randy Morris of MSHP Troop D, McDonald/Newton County

Pineville Fire expressed thanks in a release of information to agencies assisting, “It’s great to know in a time of need we have all these great teams that will come together to get the job done. This was a fatality accident and our prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased.

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