The 48-year-old superintendent of Dadeville School District, Matthew D. Bushey, of Bolivar, died on Wednesday, Aug. 24, in a two-vehicle crash on Rt. T, two miles southwest of Bolivar.
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Bushey was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by Polk County coroner Whitney Burlison at around 8:05 a.m.
The report stated Bushey was westbound in a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta at around 7:16 a.m. when an eastbound 1999 Ford F150, driven by a 16-year-old male, of Bolivar, crossed the center line and struck Bushey’s vehicle head-on.
Bushey was wearing a seatbelt during the crash, per the report.
His passenger, a 17-year-old male, of Bolivar, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Cox South in Springfield via ambulance, the report stated.
The 16-year-old driver, who the report stated was not wearing a seatbelt, also suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
The report stated that both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene by B&B Wrecker of Bolivar.
Trooper A.R. Enderle investigated the wreck with assistance from Trooper M.K. Eden and the crash team.
Bushey’s death was Troop D’s 80th traffic fatality of the year, per the report.
In an online news release, Dadeville Schools principal Cassy Farmer and school board president Joshua Farmer released this statement:
“This morning, just prior to the start of the school day, Dadeville superintendent Dr. Matt Bushey was lost in an automobile accident. Dr. Bushey served the Dadeville school district for 18 years. He was well known and loved throughout the community,” they state. “Staff and families of the school district have been informed of the accident. Please join us in keeping Dr. Bushey's family in your thoughts and prayers."
