A Missouri State Highway Patrol officer escaped injury Sunday night when his cruiser was totaled in a wreck as he investigated a previous accident.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Tpr. Terry Nelson’s vehicle was parked unoccupied – with emergency lights activated – in the median just east of Cabool on U.S. 60 when the accident occurred. A 2004 Pontiac Gran Prix traveling west lost control, slid broadside and collided into the rear of the patrol car.
The driver, Leanna Siebenhuener, 18, of Kennett; and a passenger, Kristi M. Olson, 18, of Omaha, Neb., were taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. A passenger, Lindsey M. Pruett, 19, was flown from the scene in serious condition to St. John’s. T Both vehicles were totaled.
Eight highway patrol officers were on the scene, along with the Cabool Police Department. A patrol major crash team responded.