Winter weather leads to traffic accidents, injuries

Several people were injured after winter precipitation that covered the region Sunday night into Monday led to several traffic accidents in Southeast Missouri.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E reported an accident at 1:40 p.m. Monday, when one vehicle slid on the ice in Butler County.

Michael Barnett, 21, of West Burlington, Iowa, was driving his 1988 Chevrolet truck on U.S. 67 southbound, one mile south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, when it slid on the ice and rear-ended the 2003 Dodge Durango driven by Leslie Blalock, 48, of Poplar Bluff. An occupant of Blalock's vehicle, Rachel Blalock, 46, also of Poplar Bluff, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

One driver received minor injuries when he lost control of his vehicle while traveling south on Interstate 55 in New Madrid County, according to the highway patrol. Tywon A. Fountain, 35, of Southaven, Mississippi, lost control of his 2005 Lincoln Town Car around 2:30 p.m. Monday and struck the barrier cable, damaging six poles and 120 feet of cable. He was transported by ambulance to Pemiscot Memorial Hospital.

Five people sustained injuries in a one-car accident Monday evening on U.S. 67 south of Route PP in Butler County.

According to the highway patrol, the accident occurred as the 1999 Isuzu Trooper ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, then ran off the left side of the road and overturned. The driver, Richard D. Putman, 51, of Doniphan, Missouri, sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

One of the occupants, Deborah J. Putnam, 51, also of Doniphan, suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Evac to a Cape Girardeau Hospital.

Justin Donley, 31, of Gatewood, Missouri, suffered moderate injuries. Sustaining minor injuries were Jasmin Burk, 12, and Devin Putman, 10, both of Doniphan. All were taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

U.S. 67 south of Route PP, MO

U.S. 67 southbound, Poplar Bluff, MO