VERNON COUNTY, Mo. — Missouri State Highway Patrol release details of a fatal crash that occurred on Tuesday afternoon July 5, 1:15 p.m., three miles north of the Nevada city limits.
The patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit were summoned to process the three vehicle crash.
Naomi Bealer, 76, of Van Buren, Ark. was driving a 2016 Nissan Altima. She was killed in the crash, pronounced at the scene.
Maria Campos, 25, of Houston, Tex. was operating a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. She suffered serious injuries and was flown air ambulance to Kansas City.
Stephen Schafer, 67, of Lees Summit, Mo. was driving a 2019 Honda Pilot. He suffered serious injuries and was flown air ambulance to Kansas City.
“Crash occurred as [Bealer] was traveling southbound, crossed the center median into the northbound lane and struck [Campos]. [Schafer] attempted to avoid [Bealer] by traveling into the median, struck the driver’s side of [Bealer]. [Bealer] came to rest in median and caught fire. [Bealer] was pronounced deceased at the scene.” — MSGT. M.T. POLODNA
Next of kin have been notified.
Traffic was diverted off the highway for an extended period of time for cleanup of debris and to process the crash scene. TCB Towing of Nevada removed the crashed vehicles and debris.
Nevada Fire Dept, Compton Junction Fire Dept, Vernon County Sheriff’s office and MoDOT Emergency Response assisted.
This is a breaking news story. Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.
Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews1st email list so you don’t miss an article.
