PATTON MAN DIES IN CRASH

PATTON -- A man was killed on state Highway 72 when another driver attempted to pass him as he made a left turn, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported.

Darrell Davis, 45, of Patton, died in Bollinger County at the scene of the accident, Trooper Aaron Harrison said.

Davis had been stopped in the eastbound lane on Highway 72 in Patton as he waited to make a left turn onto a county road, Harrison reported. It was about 5:30 p.m., and another car had stopped behind him.

A 1993 Isuzu truck, driven by Wenzel Pitelka of Smithville, Tenn., was also driving east on the highway. As Pitelka's truck came up behind the other cars, he attempted to pass them on the two-lane road by crossing a double yellow line dividing the lanes, the patrol reported.

"He said that he never saw the turn signal for the other car," said Lt. Dave Hart. "But the fact remains that he crossed a double yellow line."

Pitelka struck Davis as he was turning left. Davis' 1986 Toyota was knocked off the roadway, ejecting Davis from the car, Harrison said.

Pitelka, 51, was charged with careless and imprudent driving, which is a misdemeanor, Hart said.