Five Missouri Traffic Deaths, Three Drownings Over Memorial Day Weekend

There were fewer Memorial Day weekend traffic deaths but more boating fatalities than a year ago.

In a press release, the Missouri Highway Patrol reports that five people died in traffic crashes over the holiday weekend, while three people drowned. That compares to 13 traffic deaths and no drownings last year.

Three of the traffic deaths happened in the St. Louis area, with one in the Kansas City area and one in northeast Missouri.

The one fatality in our area happened Monday evening in Scotland County, when 33 year old Jesse Ketchum of Downing died when the fire truck he was driving ran off the road and overturned.

Two of the drownings occurred Saturday in the Branson area, and one happened Monday at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Memorial Day weekend reporting period ran from 6 p.m. Friday until 11:59 p.m. Monday.