MSHP reports seven deaths over Christmas weekend

During this year's 102-hour counting period, the Patrol investigated 499 traffic crashes, which included 142 injuries and four of the seven fatalities. Troopers arrested 92 people for driving while intoxicated.

During last year's counting period, which was 78 hours in length, troopers investigated 228 traffic crashes including 94 injuries. In 2006, troopers arrested 113 people for driving while intoxicated during the Christmas counting period. There were six traffic fatalities during the 2006 Christmas holiday weekend.

Two people were killed in traffic crashes on Dec. 22, 2007. Garry G. Robinett, 57, of Bowling Green, Mo., was killed when the vehicle he was driving ran off the roadway, he overcorrected, drove across the centerline, overcorrected again, ran off the right side of the roadway, and struck a tree.

The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 62 west of Charleston, Mo., in Mississippi County. Robinett was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker pronounced Robinett dead at the scene.

Vince C. Picone, 62, of Kansas City, Mo., died when the vehicle he was driving slid off the right side of the roadway and struck a sign. The crash occurred on Interstate 435 at Shoal Creek in Clay County. Picone was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. Dantobasso pronounced Picone dead at Liberty Hospital.

One person was killed on Dec. 23, 2007. Daniel D. Lottmann, 16, of Washington, Mo., died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger slid off the roadway and overturned, coming to rest on its right side. Lottmann was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle and another passenger sustained serious injuries; they were wearing seat belts. The crash occurred on Country Club Road east of Missouri Route A in Franklin County. Washington Area Ambulance personnel pronounced Lottmann dead.

Three fatality traffic crashes occurred on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2007. Crystal City Police Department investigated one fatality crash.

Timothy Perfater, 22, was killed when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and struck a concrete barrier. The vehicle then overturned. It is unknown whether or not Perfater was wearing a seat belt. Medical personnel at the scene pronounced Perfater dead.

Kenneth A. Kissell, 45, of St. Peters, Mo., was killed when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway and struck a concrete traffic signal. The crash occurred on Gravois Road. Kissell was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash was investigated by St. Louis City Police Department.

One person was killed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2007. Jeremy K. Sill, 37, of Diamond, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head-on. Sill was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred west of Diamond on Missouri Highway V in Newton County.

The driver of the other vehicle was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Newton County Coroner Lee Ireland pronounced Sill dead at the scene.

cnoles@dailystatesman.com