A trio of accidents this week on local roads involving area residents resulted in a fatality and numerous serious injuries.
The most recent of the accidents took place Monday morning in Columbia, when a motorcycle struck the rear of a City of Columbia bus, leaving a Centralia man in critical condition.
Michael Heaston, 34, of Centralia, was on a 2005 Harley Davidson heading westbound on Vandiver when, according to the Columbia Fire Department, a Columbia para-transit bus entered the intersection at Burlington Street. Heaston attempted to avoid the bus by moving to the turn lane, but he was unable to avoid the bus, sliding onto the side of the motorcycle and striking the larger vehicle.
He was taken to University Hospital his family is keeping him on life support until his organs can be harvested, Columbia police spokeswoman Officer Jill Wieneke said Tuesday morning.
The bus had no passengers at the time of the accident.
The second accident involved 10 people, five from Laddonia and one Vandalia man, and resulted in one fatality on Sunday, July 11, just west of Route A on Highway 54.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Charles Howdeshell, 50, of Vandalia, attempted to pass a vehicle driven by Douglas Hill of North Liberty, Iowa.
Howdeshell’s 1998 Pontiac struck Hill’s 2004 Mazda, allegedly causing it to travel into the opposite lane and collide head-on with a vehicle driven by Laddonia’s Robert Becker.
Among the three others in Hill’s car was 54-year-old Lynn Fraker, of North Liberty, Iowa, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Audrain County Coroner Pat Farnen at 2:30 p.m.
Hill sustained serious injuries and was taken to Audrain Medical Center, then flown to University Hospital. His passengers, Jay Ballenger, 52, and Karen Ballenger, 51, both of Tipton, Iowa, also suffered serious injuries and were taken to Audrain Medical Center.
Becker had serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital from Audrain Medical Center while four other passengers in his vehicle from Laddonia were also injured. Denise Henry Becker, 51, Christopher Becker, 19, and Alexander Becker, 14, are each being treated for serious injuries. Mackenzie Becker, 21, was treated for moderate injuries.
Howdeshell received no injuries and was taken to the Audrain County Jail where he is being held without bond.
He has been charged with the following:
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Second degree assault
• DWI-Drugs
• Possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana
• Careless and imprudent driving
• Failure to wear a seat belt
No official charges were filed by prosecutors with the Audrain County Courthouse as of press time.
The Becker and Henry families have numerous connections to the Centralia community.
The third accident took place on Route B at Low Crossing Road Wednesday afternoon, July 7.
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, the 1976 MG driven by David O. Bias, 55, of Hallsville, was southbound on B when he was struck in the rear by a 1999 Dodge pickup driven by Jonathan Null, 15, of Columbia.
Null was taken to University Hospital in Columbia, having sustained moderate injuries.
The MG had extensive damage and the Dodge was listed as sustaining moderate damage. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.