Two pedestrians killed in accident on East Chestnut Expressway

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 30, 2020, at 04:12 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the 200 block of East Chestnut Expressway regarding a motor vehicle crash between a passenger car and a pedestrian.

The initial investigation indicated a 2014 Hyundai Sonata; driven by 49-year-old Jeremy Behrends of Springfield; was traveling eastbound on Chestnut Expressway when it struck 48-year-old Richard D. Gardner and 52-year-old Scarlet R. Turner in the outside lane of eastbound Chestnut Expressway.

The male and female were pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. There is no evidence of impairment regarding this crash.

Through evidence at the scene and witness statements, officers determined Gardner was struck by a white, full-sized Ford pickup truck. When Turner attempted to assist Gardner, they were then both struck by the Hyundai. The pickup in question is missing an outside passenger side mirror and possibly has over-sized tires. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or Greater Springfield Area Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

This is the 11th fatality crash and 13th traffic fatality in Springfield during 2020.

Springfield man killed in car-motorcycle collision at intersection of Kearney and Airport Plaza

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 28, 2020, at 12:00 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Kearney and Airport Plaza regarding a motor vehicle crash between a motorcycle and passenger car.

A 2010 Honda motorcycle operated by 37-year-old Scott McCullough of Springfield, was southbound on Airport Plaza turning onto Kearney. 

The motorcycle entered Kearney and was struck by a 2017 Chevy Volt driven by 22-year-old Aerica Presley of Rogersville, which had been westbound on Kearney. McCollough was pronounced dead on-scene and his next of kin have been notified. There is no evidence of impairment at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

This is the 10th fatality crash and 11th traffic fatality in Springfield during 2020.

Forsyth, Chadwick residents killed in head-on crash on 125

Two people were killed and two seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision 9:50 p.m. Sunday on MO 125 in Chadwick.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1996 Ford Aerostar Van driven by Casey M. Hull, 36, Forsyth, was attempting to overtake the vehicle in front of it and traveled into the northbound lane and struck a 2019 Honda UTV driven by Hunter Daugherty, 24, Chadwick, head on.

Both drivers were pronounced dead on the scene by Christian County Coroner Amanda Armitage.

A passenger in the Hull vehicle, Nina A. Decker, 30, Stockton, and a passenger in the Daugherty vehicle,   Nathan Sanders, 34, Sparta, were taken to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, with serious injuries.

The fatalities were the 50th and 51st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Merriam Woods couple seriously injured after slamming into tree near Bull Creek

Two Merriam Woods residents were injured in a one-vehicle crash 1:50 a.m. Sunday on Route F, just east of Bull Creek.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1999 Dodge truck driven by Brandon C. Doehring, 32, Merriam Woods, left the roadway and struck a tree.

Doehring and a passenger, Jessica S. Doehring, 30, Merriam Woods, were treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Investigation continues after Springfield man shot to death, teen wounded at 2457 N. Fremont

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 26, 2020, at 10:29 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to 2457 N. Fremont regarding a shooting. Officers arrived and contacted David R. Jones, an 18-year-old male from Springfield, who had a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his foot. 

Jones reported that an armed male intruder had entered his residence and shot him in the foot. Jones reported shooting the male with his own firearm.

Officers located a deceased male inside the residence with obvious gunshot wounds. The deceased male was identified as Kenneth L. Clay, a 36-year-old male from Springfield. Next-of-kin notifications have been made for Clay. No arrests have been made at this time.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869- TIPS (8477).

Springfield Police investigating shooting on North Elizabeth as homicide

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 21, 2020, at 11:13 p.m., two male victims with serious gunshot wounds arrived at Cox North Hospital. 

Investigating officers determined the shooting had taken place outside of 2121 N. Elizabeth. Officers responded to that address and located evidence of a shooting.

One victim was identified as David W. Saunders, a 17-year-old male from Springfield. Saunders died from his injures on Thursday, June 25, at a local hospital. Next-of-kin notifications have been made for Saunders. The second victim has serious injuries but they are not believed to be life-threatening.

A suspect has not been identified at this time. Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869- TIPS (8477).

Branson man charged with DWI after crash on 65 injures three, including 8-year-old

A Branson man was cited for felony driving while intoxicated following a two-vehicle collision 6:10 p.m. Thursday on U. S. 65, three miles south of Saddlebrooke.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2009 Honda CRV driven by Gary J. Eakin, Jr., 34, Branson, pulled into the path of a 2016 Toyota Camry driven by Lorri M. Parker, 63, Mountain Grove.

Parker and a passenger in her vehicle, an eight-year-old girl from Amberly, Ohio, were treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.

Eakin, who was also charged with felony driving while suspended, failing to yield and had a felony DWI warrant out of Taney County, was treated for minor injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Sewer rate increase for Springfield residents to take effect July 1

(From the City of Springfield)

Customers on City sewer service will see a planned rate increase beginning July 1, in order to continue improving the City’s aging sewer system and to remain in compliance with federal Clean Water Act regulations. 

The City of Springfield contracts with City Utilities for sanitary sewer services billing, so customers will notice this change on their August CU bills.

Sewer rates are based on water consumption calculated by averaging water usage for January, February and March, to avoid summer irrigation, car washing, filling up pools, etc. This is because the majority of residents’ water goes down drains and toilets and ends up in the wastewater system. 

Springfield Environmental Services charges a base customer charge and an additional charge for each 100 cubic feet (CCF) of water used. One CCF equals 748 gallons.

An average residential customer uses 6 CCF and currently receives a bill for $34.20 per month. Following the July 1, 2020 effective date, a residential user with 6 CCF use will receive a bill for $35.89

The 2020 increase is the first in a series of increases approved by City Council in January 2020. This rate structure will last through 2023 and is consistent with the recommendations of a community stakeholder group appointed to consider changes to Springfield’s wastewater system, including rates.

For more information about City Wastewater improvements, visit springfieldmo.gov/wastewater or call Sewer Revenue Technician Kristy Haynes at 417-864-1924.

Monett man sentenced to 27 years for meth trafficking

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Monett, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for trafficking methamphetamine at a home with children present.

Victor M. De Santiago, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 27 years and four months in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 21, 2019, De Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on premises in which children reside. 

State troopers and DEA agents executed a search warrant at the residence of De Santiago, who was identified as a major distributor of methamphetamine, on Feb. 28, 2019. In addition to De Santiago and another adult, there were three children present in the residence.

Law enforcement officers found a safe in a bedroom closet that contained approximately two pounds (907 grams) of methamphetamine. De Santiago told officers he recently acquired approximately six pounds of methamphetamine from California and transported it to Monett with the intent to distribute it. The approximately two pounds of methamphetamine found in the bedroom was the remainder of what he had acquired from California.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine L. Stockard and Byron Black. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Combined Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team (COMET), the Monett, Missouri, Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administrati

Springfield man arrested on weapons charge following gunshot death at 4120 W. Kearney, homicide investigation continues

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On June 23, 2020, at 2:03 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to 4120 W. Kearney after a 911 caller stated a person had been shot at that location. When officers arrived, they found a male subject deceased outside the home with an apparent gunshot wound.

The deceased was identified as Alexander S. Goeman, a 29-year-old male from Springfield. Next of kin notifications have been made. Daniel L. Smith, a 40-year-old male from Springfield, was arrested at the scene for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm however, no charges have been filed at this time. 

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be submitted to the Greene County Prosecutor for consideration.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869- TIPS (8477).