5 injured in Route W crash

Woman flown from scene of 2-vehicle incident

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Five people were injured on Wednesday in a wreck at 4:03 p.m. on Route W, two miles west of Butterfield.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Robert Craig, 59, of Purdy, was driving a 2020 Peterbilt 337 Bobtail northbound when his vehicle failed to yield to an eastbound 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, being driven by Helmer Paul, 45, of Noel.

Craig suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Cassville. Paul and two of his passengers, Jack Sakarias, 39, of Noel, and Wexy George, 29, of Noel, each suffered moderate injuries. Paul and Sakarias were transported to Mercy in Cassville, and George was transported to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

A third occupant in Paul’s vehicle, Angela Ehmes, 30, of Noel, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

All involved were wearing safety devices, and both vehicles were totaled.