Fatal wreck report notes slow driver

MORLEY, Mo. -- A reconstruction report of a fatal crash involving a Scott County deputy was released this week, indicating that the drivers involved may not have seen each other until it was too late.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's major crash investigation team used interviews, photographs, maps and a host of mathematical and scientific data to compile the report.

The Jan. 1 accident claimed the lives of Evelyn Orman and her 12-year-old niece, Brittany Gates.

Orman was apparently driving her brother-in-law James Gates and his daughters, Brittany and Ashley, home when the accident occurred.

Reports indicate no one in her car was wearing a seat belt.

James Gates remains in a coma at Sikeston's Delta Medical Center. Ashley Gates was also badly injured in the crash and spent several weeks in the hospital.

Sgt. Steve Shoemaker of the Scott County Sheriff's Department was driving an unmarked patrol car, responding to a call about a stolen truck, when the accident occurred.

Shoemaker told investigators he had his red lights and siren on and was traveling about 70-75 miles per hour.

The speed limit for U.S. 61 is 60 miles per hour, but witnesses say Orman was driving much slower and traffic had lined up behind her.

Shoemaker said he passed one vehicle that pulled over for him, then came upon several more vehicles. While he was passing, he said Orman's blinker came on and her car began to come into his lane.

He locked his brakes up as he attempted to swerve, and they collided.

The report said the traffic present could have caused a temporary vision obstruction for both drivers. Also, no artificial light illuminated the immediate area of the crash, which took place after dark.

An examination of the deputy's car after the accident showed Shoemaker's headlights were flashing along with the red light on his dash.

Orman's driver's license indicated she needed corrective lenses. Police didn't find any glasses at the scene and couldn't determine if she was wearing contact lenses.

Five other witnesses to the crash were interviewed.

One was Jane Tipton of Gordonville, Mo., who had just passed Orman's car when the accident occurred.

She told police she thought the driver of the Escort may have been elderly or lost because it was moving so slowly.

The car in front of Tipton had already passed Orman's vehicle and as Tipton started passing, she saw the left turn signal come on. Fearing the Escort may hit the side of her vehicle, she sped up to finish passing.

As she looked into her rearview mirror, she saw the emergency vehicle moving very quickly behind her with the red dash light flashing and then witnessed the crash.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

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