Weekend crashes kill two, seriously injure two others

Unrelated crashes over the weekend left two area residents dead and two others, including a pedestrian, with serious injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a one-vehicle crash in Butler County caused the deaths of a Piggott, Arkansas, teenager and a Pollard, Arkansas, man.

Spencer D. Hardin, 20, reportedly was operating a 2009 BMW southbound when it ran off the right side of Highway 51, one mile south of Fagus, and struck a house.

The home, according to Sgt. Clark Parrott, was unoccupied.

The patrol reports the exact date and time of the crash are unknown, but, Parrott said, it is believed it may have occurred on Saturday. It was reported Sunday morning.

“The investigation is still continuing,” Parrott said. “They’re trying to trace their movements, that sort of thing.”

Killed in the crash were Hardin and his 16-year-old passenger, who were pronounced dead at the scene at 11:56 a.m. Sunday by Butler County Coroner Andy Moore. The deaths are the 46th and 47th in Troop E this year.

The patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is assisting in the investigation.

The patrol also investigated an unrelated crash, which occurred at 8:20 p.m. Saturday on Highway D at Alice Lane in Wayne County.

Penny D. Warren, 58, of Wappapello allegedly was operating a 2014 Ford Escape northbound when it struck Cody A. Green in the road.

Green, 23, of Raymondville, Missouri, was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.

Earlier in the day, the patrol investigated a one-vehicle crash at Highway 142 at Highway T in Ripley County.

According to the patrol, Jerry Martin was operating a 2002 Chevrolet pickup southbound at about 6:50 p.m. when it ran off the road and struck a tree.

Martin, 65, of Naylor was flown to St. Louis University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.