One-Car Crash at Gasconade Bridge

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, Night Desk, Investigative Reporter and Sports Reporter

I was working the night desk last night.  Around 1 a.m. or thereabouts early Saturday morning, I got word that there had been a serious one-car accident on Highway 100 near the Gasconade Bridge. 

Since it was late and I was pretty tired, I chose not to race out there over the winding roads behind the fire trucks and ambulances to cover the tragic accident.  I figured that I might fall asleep or lose control in my excitement and run off Highway 100 myself.  Besides there were already two Hermann EMS ambulances, one fire/rescue truck from the Morrison Volunteer Fire Department and one emergency helicopter heading out that direction, not to mention all the law enforcement rolling stock from the Gasconade County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol in the vicinity.  And then, I further reasoned that the CNL pickup truck would be rushing out there to cover all the exciting action.  I didn't want to get in the way of the rescue workers, and I didn't want to risk getting run over by an overzealous reporter.

Later, I got word that a 1990 Ford Thunderbird had crossed the yellow line and run off the road on the opposite side.  The passenger who was wearing his seat belt had "moderate" injuries and was transported to HADH for medical treatment.  The driver who was not wearing his seat belt was ejected from the vehicle.   Unfortunately, he suffered "serious" injuries.  The driver was evacuated from the crash scene by the air ambulance.  He was transported to St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis County.  While other media outlets are publishing the names of the young men involved in the accident, we have chosen not to.  We figure it ain't none of your damned business!  These two unfortunate young fellows need time to heal up, and they don't need everybody "speculating" as to the cause of their accident.

I understand that the folks over at CNL snapped about 300 photos.  As soon as they catch up on their sleep, they have promised to post their best shots.  I'm sure there will be some neat photos of mangled steel, flashing lights, and rescue workers in action.

On a much brighter note, I can report to your that Henrietta Hornschwagel and her boyfriend, Elmer Hugz, both residents of Hermann, drove down to Washington for dinner and a movie last night without any incident at all.  They returned safely to Hermann at around 1:30 a.m.  I saw Elmer in the BP Convenience Store buying condoms, and he told me that he never crossed the yellow line once, although Henrietta was distracting him quite a bit during the drive back to Hermann.

Jimmy Oldsun
Night Desk, Investigative Reporter and Sports Reporter
www.HermannHearsay.blogspot.com

Update 10:40 am, Sunday, 4/11/2010:

The official crash report released to the public by the Missouri State Highway Patrol may be found on their website at:

www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/HP68/SearchAction 

You can enter Gasconade County into the "County" search field and 4/10/2010 into the "Date" search field and then search to find the information about the car accident which occurred around 1:15 am, 4/10/2010 near the Gasconade Bridge.

By the way, there is no subscription fee for accessing the Missouri State Highway Patrol's website.  You can search for crash reports filed by county, by Highway Patrol Troop, by date or by name.  You will get complete and "official" reports.  You just won't get the photos of the mangled steel and flashing lights.