PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Nov. 15, 2008) — Two separate Friday crashes injured three area residents and totaled three vehicles, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports.

The worst of the two wrecks was a single-vehicle rollover on Interstate 44 about 11 miles west of Rolla, which is near the Phelps-Pulaski county line. Troopers reported that James E. Anselmo, 42, of Waynesville, was westbound in a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle at 3:03 p.m. when he slid off the right side of the roadway, struck a highway sign, and overturned.

Anselmo, who was cited for driving while intoxicated as well as for careless and imprudent driving, was moderately injured and transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla by Phelps County Ambulance District personnel. Anselmo had been wearing his seat belt, troopers reported.

His vehicle was removed by Pro-Tow of Dixon.

An earlier crash near Waynesville totaled both cars but left their occupants with only minor injuries.

Troopers reported that David S. Batchler, 34, of St. Robert, was westbound in a 2004 Ford Mustang at 8:35 a.m. when he failed to stop for a stop sign on Highway 17 about two miles north of the Waynesville city limits and pulled into the path of a northbound 2008 Kia driven by Tammy J. Heeman, 31, of St. Robert.

Heeman decided an ambulance and said she would seek her own treatment for minor injuries; Batchler was not hurt. However, Batchler’s passenger, Brenda L. White, 31, of Waynesville, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Pulaski County Ambulance District paramedics to Phelps County Regional Medical Center.

Both Heeman and White had been wearing their seatbelts; troopers reported they didn’t know whether Batchler had been wearing his seat belt.

Both vehicles were removed by Jack’s Towing.

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