Cassville father, daughter involved in fatal wreck
Leslie Turner
August 16, 2017
Charlea Estes
The community has rallied around a Cassville family after a tragic car accident last week. James “Jim” Turner, 59, of Cassville, and his daughter, Leslie Tuner, 14, also of Cassville, were in a fatal car accident near Verona that claimed Jim’s life and left Leslie in critical condition.
The Turners were driving eastbound on US 60 in Verona when heavy rain caused the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox to cross the center line. They struck a 2017 Freightliner, driven by George L. Belthius, 61, of Old Field, head on. Jim was killed in the crash and pronounced deceased at 11:15 a.m. by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin.
Leslie was air lifted from the scene and taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for serious injuries. Despite severe injuries and surgeries, Leslie is making what her family calls a miraculous recovery.
Leslie’s grandmother Sandy Edwards said, “She has got some nasty breaks, but Leslie is a little fighter. I think she is going to be okay.”
Her injuries included brain trauma, a broken pelvis and broken clavicle. Despite everything, her family says she is improving daily, and the hospital has been filled with people supporting her. Edwards said, “There were over a hundred people at the hospital on a daily basis. It’s been incredible.”
Leslie and her family are all very active in a variety of sports. Leslie plays volleyball, basketball and softball. Jim had been involved in many different coaching duties.
Edwards said that Leslie is fighting an uphill battle, but her family has faith that God will pull her through it. She said, “They doctors say they can't guarantee she will be 100 percent, but I’ve had so many people reach out with good stories to tell me about a time when there was no hope, and then they are up as normal. She’s not out of danger yet, but she is getting better.”
She added, “She is definitely progressing, but it’s a slow process. She is doing things a little faster than they expected with her trauma. It’s one day at a time.”
Funeral services for Jim Turner will be on Saturday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both will be at the First Baptist Church of Cassville.
Charlea Estes
The community has rallied around a Cassville family after a tragic car accident last week. James “Jim” Turner, 59, of Cassville, and his daughter, Leslie Tuner, 14, also of Cassville, were in a fatal car accident near Verona that claimed Jim’s life and left Leslie in critical condition.
The Turners were driving eastbound on US 60 in Verona when heavy rain caused the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox to cross the center line. They struck a 2017 Freightliner, driven by George L. Belthius, 61, of Old Field, head on. Jim was killed in the crash and pronounced deceased at 11:15 a.m. by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin.
Leslie was air lifted from the scene and taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for serious injuries. Despite severe injuries and surgeries, Leslie is making what her family calls a miraculous recovery.
Leslie’s grandmother Sandy Edwards said, “She has got some nasty breaks, but Leslie is a little fighter. I think she is going to be okay.”
Her injuries included brain trauma, a broken pelvis and broken clavicle. Despite everything, her family says she is improving daily, and the hospital has been filled with people supporting her. Edwards said, “There were over a hundred people at the hospital on a daily basis. It’s been incredible.”
Leslie and her family are all very active in a variety of sports. Leslie plays volleyball, basketball and softball. Jim had been involved in many different coaching duties.
Edwards said that Leslie is fighting an uphill battle, but her family has faith that God will pull her through it. She said, “They doctors say they can't guarantee she will be 100 percent, but I’ve had so many people reach out with good stories to tell me about a time when there was no hope, and then they are up as normal. She’s not out of danger yet, but she is getting better.”
She added, “She is definitely progressing, but it’s a slow process. She is doing things a little faster than they expected with her trauma. It’s one day at a time.”
Funeral services for Jim Turner will be on Saturday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both will be at the First Baptist Church of Cassville.
