Republic residents among 8 killed over Thanksgiving holiday weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports eight people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

Four people died in a traffic crash on Interstate 44 west of Springfield, in Greene County, on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 24. Joshua R. Wamsley, 33, of Springfield, and Danielle E. Dillman, 36, of Springfield, died when the vehicle Wamsley was driving struck another vehicle in the rear, traveled into the westbound lanes, and struck a third vehicle head-on. Neither Wamsley, nor Dillman were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the vehicle Wamsley’s vehicle struck in the rear was not injured and was wearing a seat belt. The driver and one passenger in the vehicle struck head-on, Patrick J. Holloway, 44, and Shandrea L. Holloway, 44, both of Republic, also died in the crash. Both were wearing a seat belt.
A one-year-old passenger in Holloway’s vehicle sustained moderate injuries. She was in a child safety seat.

There were no boating crashes or boating fatalities. Although, there were two drownings on Nov. 26, 2022. Uthej Kunta, 24, from India, went swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks and began to struggle. He went under and did not resurface. At that time, Shiva D. Kelligari, 25, from India, dove into the water to render assistance and did not resurface. The incident took place at the .5-mile marker of the main channel of the Lake of the Ozarks in Miller County. Marine operations troopers recovered Kunta’s body and Miller County Coroner Tim Bradley pronounced him deceased at the scene. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team recovered Kelligari’s body on Nov. 27, 2022. Miller County Coroner Tim Bradley pronounced him dead at the scene.

During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2022 (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 414
Injuries ─ 115
Fatalities ─ 8
DWI ─ 113
Drug Arrests ─ 35

During the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 381 traffic crashes, which included nine fatalities and 134 injuries. Statewide, 12 people died and 540 people were injured in 1,365 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 127 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.