Two killed in car crash down embankment on MO 39
July 31, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
Two men were killed in a crash north of Shell Knob on Wednesday, July 24, around 1:30 a.m. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the two were travelling on Missouri 39 about three miles north of Shell Knob when they overturned down an embankment.
Everette A. Kritz, 27, of Cassville, was driving a 2014 Chrysler 300 northbound when the car travelled off the right side of the roadway. The car then overturned down an embankment and struck several trees. Kritz had one passenger in the car, Jacob D. Morrell, 21, of Springdale, Wash.
According to a release by the Central Crossing Fire Department, the fire department was dispatched to the scene at 1:32 a.m. and arrived on scene at 1:36 a.m. The unit on scene found the car down a steep embankment with both men trapped inside. The crew had to do extensive extrication and use high angle/slope rescue equipment at the scene.
Morrell was airlifted from the crash to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, but was pronounced deceased by Dr. Salas once at the hospital at 3:36 a.m.
Kritz was pronounced deceased at the scene by Barry County coroner Jim Fohn at 2:25 a.m. Kritz was then transported to Fohn Funeral Home.
The next of kin were notified for both men. These were Troop D's 57th and 58th fatalities of 2019.
Morrell was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash while Kritz was not.
The Chrysler 300 was totalled and towed from the scene by Brice's Towing, of Cassville.
Central Crossing Fire, Mercy EMS, Mercy LifeLine, the Barry County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Barry County E9-1-1 and Southern Stone County Fire all aided in the crash response.
Charlea Estes-Jones
Two men were killed in a crash north of Shell Knob on Wednesday, July 24, around 1:30 a.m. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the two were travelling on Missouri 39 about three miles north of Shell Knob when they overturned down an embankment.
Everette A. Kritz, 27, of Cassville, was driving a 2014 Chrysler 300 northbound when the car travelled off the right side of the roadway. The car then overturned down an embankment and struck several trees. Kritz had one passenger in the car, Jacob D. Morrell, 21, of Springdale, Wash.
According to a release by the Central Crossing Fire Department, the fire department was dispatched to the scene at 1:32 a.m. and arrived on scene at 1:36 a.m. The unit on scene found the car down a steep embankment with both men trapped inside. The crew had to do extensive extrication and use high angle/slope rescue equipment at the scene.
Morrell was airlifted from the crash to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, but was pronounced deceased by Dr. Salas once at the hospital at 3:36 a.m.
Kritz was pronounced deceased at the scene by Barry County coroner Jim Fohn at 2:25 a.m. Kritz was then transported to Fohn Funeral Home.
The next of kin were notified for both men. These were Troop D's 57th and 58th fatalities of 2019.
Morrell was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash while Kritz was not.
The Chrysler 300 was totalled and towed from the scene by Brice's Towing, of Cassville.
Central Crossing Fire, Mercy EMS, Mercy LifeLine, the Barry County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Barry County E9-1-1 and Southern Stone County Fire all aided in the crash response.
