Keith Shea, 16, was driving when his van overturned, injuring 3 passengers.
A Willard High Scool student was killed and three others were hurt early Sunday (March 7th, 1999) in a one-vehicle accident west of Springfield.
Keith Shea, 16, was westbound on Missouri 266 when his Plymouth Voyager van left the road and overturned about five miles east of Halltown, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after the 1:43 a.m. accident.
All three of his passengers were taken to Cox Medical Center South. Julie Edwards, 15, of Springfield, was still in surgery Sunday night. Samantha Crase, 15, of Springfield, was listed in serious condition. Justin Tate, 18, of Willard, suffered moderate injuries and was released Sunday morning.
Shea a Sophomore, had moved to Willard this school year from (Sheboygan,) Wisconsin, Principal John Brummel said.
Extra counselors will be on hand at the school today for students who need them, he said.
It was Ozarks' fifth highway in less than 36 hours. Three of dead were teenagers. Eight people, five of them teens, were hurt in the accidents.
No information was available Sunday about the case of the wreck or whether any of the teens was wearing a seat belt.
Brummel said he spent Sunday afternoon at Cox with families of the injured teens.
"Everybody at school, I know, will wish them a speedy recovery," he said. "It just proves that you never know what will happen at any time."
"I just wish to give our condolances to Keith Shea's parents and family."
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