A Summersville man was injured in an accident early Saturday that killed a Birch Tree resident, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. The driver faces involuntary manslaughter charges.
Troopers said Brandon J. Drexler, 27, was driving a 2001 Ford Windstar that ran off old U.S. 60 near Birch Tree, striking a tree and overturning before hitting another tree and coming to rest on its wheels.
Pronounced dead at the scene was a passenger, Randi N. Phelps, 19.
Drexler and another passenger, Ryan A. Keeton, 27, of Summersville, refused treatment at the scene. A third person, Daymond Mcamis, 22, of Mountain View, had moderate injuries and was transported to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The patrol said none was wearing a seat belt.
Drexler was arrested on involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault while operating a vehicle while intoxicated charges.
The vehicle was totaled.