Now that the weather has turned warmer, many like to drive through Southern Missouri to take advantage of the Ozark Mountains’ vistas and scenery around Table Rock Lake. However, a particular drive turned into tragedy for one local family when two of their family members were killed and one was injured in a car accident. Now, the family is likely considering their options on how best to move forward from this horrific event.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred the evening of Monday, April 29, near Lampe and involved only one vehicle. Apparently, the driver, identified as a 49-year-old man, was trying to negotiate a turn when his Ford Bronco left the road and slid down an embankment. It then struck a tree and overturned.
Both the driver and one passenger, a 14-year-old boy, were declared deceased at the accident scene. Another passenger, a 23-year-old male, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a Springfield hospital. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and no mention was made as to whether drug or alcohol impairment played a role.
News reports list each of the victims as having the same last name, although their specific relationship was not mentioned. Nevertheless, if the driver’s negligence can be proven as having caused the car accident, the familial relationship among the victims will not preclude the surviving family of the 14-year-old and the severely injured 23-year-old from seeking compensation by filing wrongful death and personal injury claims against the driver’s estate. If they choose to pursue this route, they will be well served by consulting with a personal injury attorney who has experience in such matters.
