Fatal crash leaves one man dead, two others seriously injured

Cory T. Lawrence, 33, of Theodosia, was killed in a head-on crash at 6:15 p.m. July 27 on Highway 160, one mile west of Theodosia. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol online crash report, Lawrence was traveling westbound on Highway 160 in a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with 35-year-old Keagan Stokes of Branson as a passenger when he crossed the center line and struck a 2022 Ford Mustang head on. The Mustang was driven by 26-year-old Theodosia resident Tyler Williams. 

Emergency personnel on scene say that Lawrence, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was ejected from the side window upon impact. Stokes and Williams, who were wearing seatbelts, were trapped inside the two cars and unable to free themselves. 

The Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department’s first responders were dispatched, as well as those from Gainesville and Pontiac Price Place VFDs in mutual aid. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Ozark County Ambulance and Ozark County Sheriff’s Department. 

“Two vehicle extraction operations were conducted simultaneously. Hydraulic jaws and spreaders from both Gainesville and TAVFD rescue pumpers were deployed to facilitate patient removal from both vehicles,” a post on the TAVFD Facebook page indicated. “TAVFD is very grateful for the help we had during some very difficult weather conditions as a strong storm was passing through with heavy rains, lightning and wind.”

Both Stokes and Williams were transported to Baxter Health in Mountain Home, Arkansas, with serious injuries. TAVFD said air ambulance helicopters were requested but declined to fly due to weather conditions. Instead the patients were transported by ground ambulance. One was transported by Ozark County Ambulance, and the other was transported by Taney County Ambulance with a paramedic aboard. 

Lawrence was pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. by Ozark County Coroner Gene Britt. His body was transported to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville, and later transferred to Greenlawn Funeral Home.

Both vehicles were totaled. 

The crash was investigated by MSgt. C. A. Hogue. This crash was MSHP Troop G’s 12th fatality, compared with 17 fatal crashes at this time last year.