(UPDATED 9:57 p.m.): Three injured in one-car accident near Interstate 70

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 ~ Updated 9:57 PM
By GEOFF RANDS and ERIC CRUMP/Democrat-News writers

Emergency responders attend to one of those injured in the accident.
(Geoff Rands/Democrat-News)
[Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Three Fairgrove residents were injured in a one-car accident at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, near the junction of Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 65.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Woody Hicks, the vehicle was westbound on I-70 when the driver, attempting to take the southbound U.S. 65 ramp, lost control of the vehicle for an unknown reason.

The vehicle involved in the wreck lies on its side after its occupants have been removed. During the time emergency responders worked to extract the injured occupants from the vehicle, it was tied to trees to prevent it from tipping onto its roof.
(Geoff Rands/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
The vehicle, driven by Boyd W. Sallee, 73, traveled over two roadways and overturned several times before coming to a stop on its side in the tree line past the frontage road north of I-70.

Sallee suffered serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia, according to a MSHP report.

Shirley F. Sallee, 71, also suffered serious injuries and was also taken by air ambulance to University Hospital

A second passenger, Michael E. Salle, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall.

The view from the accident site toward the southbound exit ramp from Interstate 70 to U.S. Highway 65 shows a vehicle at approximately the same place the car was when it left the roadway.
(Geoff Rands/Democrat-News)
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All three occupants of the 1996 Chrysler were wearing safety belts, troopers said.

Missouri Army National Guardsmen Specialist Robert Townsend and Staff Sgt. McCormick spotted the vehicle on their way home to Warrensburg and Leeton, respectively, from their workplace in Marshall.

Townsend called emergency responders and the two then spoke to the vehicle's occupants, reassuring them that help was on the way as they waited for emergency responders to arrive. The first responders began to arrive on the scene within five minutes of Townsend's call, McCormick estimated.

"I just can't believe nobody saw them," said McCormick of the fact that he and Townsend were the first to spot the vehicle and stop to help.

The view from the southbound exit ramp from Interstate 70 onto U.S. Highway 65 shows the approximate route taken by the car from the ramp into the tree line.
(Geoff Rands/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
In addition to MSHP troopers and ambulance crews, Saline County sheriff's deputies and Marshall firefighters assisted at the scene.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net

Comments

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Aunt Shirley and Uncle Boyd, along with my cousin Mike are in my prayers. They are a tough group and will beat this. Jeanie is keeping us posted as to your conditions. We all love you very much!

Jim, Joanne, & Jeanette (Jean's kids)

-- Posted by jdaniel1@unmc.edu on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 3:50 PM

To Spc Townsend and SSgt McCormick, thank you for the aid and support that you gave to our family members. My mother, father and brother were the family that you were kind enough to help. My parents are in the ICU in Columbia and are facing a long recovery process. My brother is recovering quickly.

We thank God for people like you and the kindness and strength that you have shown that gives my parents a fighting chance at survival.

Thank you and God Bless

Dave Sallee

-- Posted by DaveSal on Sat, Feb 28, 2009, at 11:48 AM

On October 22, 2008 the MDN reported a truck overturned on the same southbound ramp. The truck's load shifted. Perhaps, some stimulus money could be used to "revamp the ramp" to make it safer. Reducing to the posted speed is a good idea for all drivers.

-- Posted by upsedaisy on Wed, Feb 25, 2009, at 7:08 PM

My Husband and I drove by there on our way to Sedalia, and I am glad that the emergency crew got there as fast as they did... Sometime the off ramps can be tricky if you dont go the speed your suppose to go.. Glad that all is ok, and ours prayers are with them!

-- Posted by missouriwoman3 on Wed, Feb 25, 2009, at 10:48 AM

My prayers and thoughts are with this family. Its great to know that people like Spc Townsend and SSgt McCormick was there to help this family. Great job guys!!!

-- Posted by marshallmomof3 on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 11:48 PM

My thanks to Spc Townsend and SSgt McCormick-WELL DONE!

-- Posted by Rev WmYaeger on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 10:26 PM