Fatal crash closes Highway 5
A one-vehicle crash on Highway 5 south of Gainesville Monday morning claimed the life a 78-year-old Mountain Home, Ark. man and seriously injured his wife. The crash also closed Highway 5 for nearly an hour while an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter landed near the intersection of W Highway.
Killed in the crash was Gerald C. Jedrzejak. His wife, 78-year-old Alexsandrea Jedrzejak was airlifted from the scene to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. She was listed in serious condition.
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. N.J. Britt, the crash occurred when Mr. Jedrzejak failed to negotiate a curve in his 2004 Ford Explorer as he was traveling south on Highway 5, just south of the intersection with W Highway.
Britt said the Ford traveled off the right side of the road, struck an approach and overturned. Mr. Jedrzejak was pronounced dead at the scene of the 9:30 a.m. crash.
The fatality is the 11th traffic death in MSHP's Troop G so far this year, compared to 12 this time last year.
Emergency officials load an accident victim into an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter Monday morning.
<p>A Mountain Home, Ark., man was killed in this rollover crash
Monday morning on Highway 5 near its intersection with W
Highway.</p>
