Three people from Roby – a man, woman and 5-year-old girl – were pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon after a motor vehicle crash on Highway 17, said the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Tommy L. Federico, 23, of Roby, was driving a 2000 Lincoln car southbound on Highway 17 10 miles northwest of Houston when he ran off the right side of the road, returned to the pavement, began skidding sideways, crossed the center of the road and struck a northbound U.S. Forest Service 2022 Ford pickup driven by John W. Raney, 26, of Houston, head on, the patrol said. Both vehicles overturned.
The tragedy sent numerous emergency personnel and medical helicopters to the scene, which authorities said was near Roubidoux Road and Highway 17. A landing zone was established by firefighters near Highways 38 and 17.
Federico and two passengers, Helen L. Drury, 25, of Roby, and a 5-year-old girl, were all pronounced dead and transported to Evans Funeral Home in Houston. Another passenger, a 3-year-old girl, was transported by air to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with serious injuries. A 1-year-old boy was taken to University Hospital in Columbia with moderate injuries. Next of kin have been notified.
This is Troop G’s 18th, 19th and 20th fatalities for 2024 compared to 27 in 2023.
The accident was investigated by Tpr. Zayne B. Tate. Assisting were MCIU team member Cpl. K. R. Waters, Cpl. Jacob R. Sellars, Cpl. D. W. Henley, Tpr. Nathan B. Poynter and Tpr. I. V. Brutsky-Stempkovsky.
Authorities and firefighters were on the scene for several hours following the 1:25 p.m. accident. Both vehicles were totaled.
