Darrell Todd Maurina
Posted: Saturday, November 28, 2009 10:22 pm

SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Nov. 28, 2009) — Thanksgiving weekend generates a large police presence with many state troopers and local police waiting in the wings to stop speeders and respond to crashes in heavier-than-usual holiday traffic with more drivers on the road.

However, this holiday weekend has been quieter than expected. So far the county has seen only two injury crashes, both of them in St. Robert. The first crash on Thanksgiving morning totaled an out-of-town driver’s car who fell asleep near Exit 161; Saturday morning’s crash happened at 9:53 a.m. at the Ramada Intersection of Missouri Avenue and Old Route 66, drawing response from St. Robert firefighters, St. Robert police, and Pulaski County Ambulance District personnel.

According to a report issued Saturday evening by Sgt. Butch Hohman of the St. Robert Police Department, Officer Jennifer Hicks responded to the crash and determined that Giselle A. Nightingale, 45, of Waynesville, had been southbound on Missouri Avenue driving a 2002 Dodge Neon, failed to stop for a red light, and continued into the intersection directly into the path of a 2001 Chevrolet van driven by Matthew W. Harper, 25, of Dixon, who was eastbound on Old Route 66 and had a green light allowing him to go through the intersection.

“Ms. Nightingale failed to stop for the traffic signal and continued into the intersection directly into the path of the Harper vehicle, causing the collision,” Hicks reported.

Nightingale declined treatment for injuries; her passenger Marshall Nightingale, 14, suffered undetermined injuries and was transported by Pulaski County Ambulance District personnel to St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon. Their vehicle sustained moderate damage and was removed by Jack’s Towing.

Harper’s vehicle sustained only minor damage and was able to be driven from the scene.

Hicks reported that all occupants of both vehicles had been wearing their seat belts.

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