A man from Pleasant Hope died in a two-vehicle wreck on Rt. H near Farm Road 48, six miles north of Springfield, on Saturday, April 1.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report stated that John S. Smith, 54, was northbound in a 2011 Ford Edge on Rt. H at around 10:10 p.m. when his vehicle and a southbound 2006 GMC Sierra, driven by Gregory A. Lenox, 51, of Buffalo, struck each other head on.
Smith was wearing a seatbelt, per the report.
Both drivers were transported by EMS to Mercy Hospital of Springfield.
Smith was pronounced dead at 11:23 p.m. at Mercy Hospital in Springfield by Dr. Kenneth Larson and Dr. Scott Henke.
Lenox, who the report stated was not wearing a seatbelt, had moderate injuries.
Both vehicles were totaled and towed by Henry’s Towing, the report said.
Smith’s death was Troop D’s 20th fatality of 2023, the report stated. Next of kin has been notified.
Cpl. E.L. Mueller investigated the wreck.
