Accident kills teen, injures his brother

This was from the first and only fatal wreck that I covered as a Police Reporter.


By MEGAN TILK
St. Joseph News-Press
9/11/2008

WINTHROP, Mo. — A highway wreck ended the life of a 19-year-old from Overland Park, Kan., Wednesday evening.
Joshua Groshong died after the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro he was riding in collided nearly head on with a Dodge truck just before 6:30 p.m.
The driver of the Camaro, his brother, Danny Groshong, 18, was headed west on U.S. Highway 59 three miles east of the Amelia Earhart bridge when he apparently tried to pass several vehicles, said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Sheldon Lyon.
The Camaro then traveled along the eastbound shoulder trying to avoid the oncoming Dodge. The Dodge, driven by Jacob Stutz, 18, of Rushville, Mo., also entered the shoulder, where they collided. Both vehicles ended up in the ditch along the south side of the roadway.
Danny Groshong was transported by ambulance to Atchison Hospital, and was later taken by LifeNet to the University of Kansas Hospital with what Mr. Lyon called critical injuries.
Mr. Stutz was transported with non-life threatening injuries to Atchison Hospital where a spokeswoman said he was not a patient late Wednesday.
Citations are still pending as the investigation of the accident continues by the Highway Patrol. Mr. Lyon said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
“Right now all we have is a statement from the driver of the truck as to what happened, but what we would really like is for anyone who was maybe getting passed or a witness to the accident to call and give a statement just to help the investigation along,” said Mr. Lyon.
The Highway Patrol is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call Troop H headquarters at 387-2345.
The highway was partially reopened about an hour after the accident happened.