Eight Killed in Missouri Traffic Crashes Over Labor Day Weekend

Eight people were killed and 82 others were injured in traffic crashes across Missouri during the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The Patrol recorded 213 traffic crashes during the counting period, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. Troopers also reported 123 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Although the number of crashes and injuries fell from the previous year, the number of fatalities doubled. During the comparable 2025 holiday period, the Patrol investigated 252 crashes that left 123 people injured and four dead. Statewide totals for that period, including crashes handled by other agencies, were six deaths and 423 injuries in 931 crashes.

On Missouri waterways, authorities investigated nine boating crashes, the same number reported for the 2025 holiday period. One person was injured this year, while no boating fatalities or drownings were reported. Troopers made five arrests for boating while intoxicated.

The Patrol cautioned that the fatality count remains preliminary and could change if people later die from their injuries or if other law enforcement agencies report additional fatal crashes.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Rallying Around One of Our Own: Bruce Thoman

Courtesy of the Missouri State Troopers Association / Thoman family fundraiser.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Bruce Thoman was seriously injured on August 26, 2026, after being struck by a vehicle during a late-night traffic stop in North Kansas City. The incident has sparked a massive community response, including criminal charges against two drivers and a widespread fundraising effort.

Around midnight on Wednesday, August 26, Cpl. Thoman conducted a traffic stop on the left shoulder of northbound Interstates 29 and 35 near Missouri 210. He pulled over Erika Guerrero-Chavez, 24, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to charging documents, Guerrero-Chavez resisted arrest and attempted to flee back to her car, forcing Thoman to spend a prolonged period in a highly dangerous position on the side of the highway.

While Thoman was attempting to secure Guerrero-Chavez, a passing Ford Focus driven by Ashton Berry, 25, struck him. Investigators noted that Thoman's emergency lights were fully activated, and traffic was minimal, meaning Berry had ample opportunity to move over into an open lane. Following the crash, authorities found methamphetamine in Berry's vehicle, while Guerrero-Chavez reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol and "shooters" before driving.

Both women are being held at the Clay County Detention Center on $200,000 cash bonds.

Cpl. Thoman was rushed to a local hospital with severe, life-threatening injuries and underwent immediate surgery. The Missouri State Troopers' Association (MOSTA) stated that the crash has permanently altered Thoman’s life and mobility, leaving his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters facing a "future of unknowns."

In response to the tragedy, MOSTA has organized several official fundraising avenues to support the family long-term, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Thoman family.

Official fundraiser: GoFundMe — Support Missouri State Trooper Bruce Thoman

Official benefit page: Missouri State Troopers Association — Bruce Thoman Fund

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Highway Patrol Launches ‘Show-Me Shield’ Reporting Site

The Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Tuesday, August 18, announced the launch of a new site for the public to report suspicious activity in Missouri: “Show-Me Shield” has replaced the Missouri SafeNation app. Show-Me Shield, which can be accessed by visiting ShowMeShield.mo.gov, is now available for the public to file suspicious activity reports (SAR) online.

Based on the national “See Something Say Something” initiative used to encourage the public to report potential terrorist-related suspicious activity, Show-Me Shield is where Missourians may report unusual items or situations they encounter, persons attempting to elicit information at a level beyond simple curiosity about a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, when shift changes occur, etc.

These activities may be innocent, and it’s important to consider the context of each situation. Law enforcement will determine whether the behavior warrants additional investigation.

The Patrol also announced its Courage2Report school violence and anti-bullying hotline will now be accessed by visiting Courage2ReportMO.com

Courage2Report will receive tips online or by calling 1-866-748-7047. Tips will continue to be handled 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by trained professionals. The Courage2Report and SafeNation apps have been deactivated and will no longer be monitored.

The Missouri School Violence Hotline (SVH) began in October 2001. In 2019, through the Missouri School Safety Initiative, the reporting mechanism moved to the Missouri Information Analysis Center for 24/7 operation and was named Courage2Report. The goal is to make schools safer by helping school districts and law enforcement learn about school violence before it happens.

Courage2Report partners with public and private schools in Missouri with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. All reporting through the Courage2Report platform is confidential.

KPGZ News – Missouri State Highway Patrol

12 Deaths During July Fourth Holiday Weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported nine traffic fatalities and three drownings during the 2026 July Fourth holiday counting period, according to preliminary statistics released by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Patrol.

The counting period began at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5. During that time, nine people died and 113 were injured in 235 traffic crashes statewide. Troopers also reported 125 driving while intoxicated arrests.

On Missouri waterways, the Patrol investigated three boating crashes, which resulted in three injuries and no boating fatalities. Three drownings were reported during the holiday period, and troopers made nine boating while intoxicated arrests.

The 2026 traffic crash total was lower than the number investigated by the Patrol during the 2025 July Fourth holiday counting period, when troopers handled 273 traffic crashes involving nine fatalities and 138 injuries. Statewide in 2025, 13 people died and 414 were injured in 993 vehicle crashes, and 11 boating crashes were investigated across Missouri.

MSHP officials said additional details about the traffic crashes and arrests are available through the Patrol’s website. The agency also noted that the fatality statistics remain preliminary and could change if late deaths occur or if other departments report fatal crashes after the release is issued.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Use Safe Travel, Boating During Fourth of July Holiday

As Missourians prepare to celebrate Independence Day, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging travelers and boaters to make safety a priority throughout the holiday weekend.

Motorists are encouraged to be courteous, buckle up, obey traffic laws, and never drive impaired. Boaters are reminded to wear life jackets when near, on, or in the water, remain alert for other boats and swimmers, and use good judgment while sharing Missouri’s lakes and rivers.

During the 2025 Fourth of July counting period, 13 people were killed and 415 were injured in 993 traffic crashes across Missouri. Troopers also arrested 118 people for driving while intoxicated.

On the water during that same period, the Patrol reported 11 boating crashes, resulting in four injuries and no fatalities. Troopers made 13 arrests for boating while intoxicated, and no drownings were reported during the holiday weekend.

The 2026 Fourth of July holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

All available troopers will patrol Missouri roadways and waterways to enforce traffic and boating laws and to provide assistance as needed. The Patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E., or Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort, and Operation Dry Water, a national campaign targeting impaired vessel operators.

The Patrol also reminds boaters that Missouri law prohibits discharging fireworks from a vessel. Fireworks should be left in a safe place on shore. Boaters are encouraged to watch their wake, operate responsibly, and help keep waterways safe for everyone enjoying the holiday.

Anyone who witnesses criminal activity or experiences an emergency is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at (800) 525-5555 or dial *55 from a cellular phone. The numbers may be used for both highway and water emergencies.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.