[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fatality Traffic Crash 5300 Block Route B

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Officer Brian Tate
Major Crash Investigator/Reconstructionist
Columbia Mo PD, Traffic Unit

Officer Latisha Stroer, Public Information Officer
Columbia Police Department
(573)874-7448
lmstroer at gocolumbiamo.com

Fatality Traffic Crash 5300 Block Route B

COLUMBIA, MO (March 21, 2015) - TYPE OF INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Crash

CASE#: 2015-002991           

CAD#:  2015051139                         

DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/21/15 @ 12:16 PM                                                                

DATE & TIME REPORTED: Same                                

CRASH LOCATION:  5300 Block Route B (Paris Rd)                         

 

DRIVER #1:  Weddington, Nicole M                                                Age: 30                              Columbia, Mo                                                          Injured:Yes                                                                                                               Seat Belt: No            

 

DRIVER #2: McKnight, Darrel L                                        Age:35                                               Columbia, SC                                                    Injured:  No                                                                                    Seat Belt:  Yes

 

PASSENGERS:

 

VEHICLE #1:  Severtsen, John J                                                               Age:  24

                   Columbia, Mo                                                                     Injured: Fatal

                                                                                                           Seat Belt: No

 

VEHICLE #2:  Francois, Djuan L                                                                Age: 33

                   Orlando, FL                                                                        Injured: No

                                                                                                        Seat Belt:     Yes        

 

DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

 

Crash occurred when vehicle #1, a 1995 Oldsmobile 88, was traveling north on Route B (Paris Rd) in the 5300 Blk and vehicle #2, a 2009 Freightliner Semi pulling a 2010 Vanguard 53 foot enclosed trailer, was traveling north on Route B.  Vehicle #1 was following vehicle #2.  Vehicle #2 had began to slow in an attempt to make a right turn into a private drive located at 5400 Route B, 3M.  Driver of vehicle #1 did not see vehicle #2 slowing, was unable to stop, and struck vehicle #2 in the rear.

 

Driver #1 (Weddington) had to be extricated from the vehicle by City of Columbia Fire personnel and was transported by EMS personnel to The University of Missouri Hospital for Minor injuries.  Driver #1 (Weddington) was released later the same evening.  The passenger in vehicle #1 (Severtsen) was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

 

Impairment by drugs and/or alcohol by driver #2 are not a factor. Driver #2 voluntarily submitted to a chemical test of his breath.   Driver #1 (Weddington) voluntarily submitted to a chemical test of her blood while at the hospital.  It is unknown, pending toxicology results, if Driver #1 was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Excessive speed is also not a factor.

 

 It is unknown at this time if driver #1 was distracted in any way prior to the crash.  Investigation into that possibility is ongoing.  

 

Summons/Charges:  Pending investigation

 

 



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