An Aurora woman told a Highway Patrol trooper she took "several anti-psychotic medications" less than three hours before she drove her vehicle across the center line of MO 39 Saturday morning and crashed into five motorcycles, killing four people and injuring six others.
The Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony driving while intoxicated charges against Theresa Manetzke, 51.
According to the Highway Patrol report, Manetzke, who was driving a 2016 Toyota Corolla, crossed the center line and struck the motorcycles, ejecting all drivers and passengers.
Killed in the accident were Kameron Hale, 28, Kadence Harris, 17, James R. Olmsted, 59, and Linda G. Anderson, 61, all of Aurora. Six others- a 16-year-old girl, Krista D. Trueblood, 30, Cody J. Zielinski, 35, Jessica E. Zielinski, 35, Darrell J. Trueblood, 37, Jesse W. Clinkingbeard, 54, all of Aurora, were flown to Springfield hospitals with serious injuries.
From the probable cause statement:
I arrived on scene and observed five damaged motorcycles, ten injured people lying in the ditch on the east side of the roadway. After rendering aid to injured personnel, I observed a maroon color Toyota Corolla with heavy front-end damage in the ditch on the west side of the roadway.
I contacted the driver of the Toyota Corolla, Theresa Manetzke.
Manetzke performed field sobriety tests and I determined she was drug-impaired. I placed my right hand on her shoulder, told her she was under arrest and read her the Missouri Implied Consent, requesting an evidentiary blood sample.
Manetzke agreed to provide an evidentiary blood sample and I observed Mercy Emergency Medical Service personnel draw blood from Manetzke's left hand at the crash scene. Manetzke was transported to Cox Health in Monett by Mercy EMS before being airlifted to Cox South in Springfield.
(Photo- The photo that accompanies this post is being shared throughout social media since the accident.)
7 comments:
Theresa Manetzke, should never be allowed to Drive Again and should find Solace in her Jail Cell the Rest of Her Life.
Our Society is so Feed Up - With individuals - who Blame their Life Style Choices on Addictions - of Drugs, Alcohol, Prescriptions, Their Parents, Teachers, Society, Etc., Whatever their Choices Are - - They need to take Full Responsibility for there Actions.
It said anti-psychotic medications. Doesn't mean she was drunk, high or stoned. She was impaired.
Call it what you want - - THAT IS NO EXCUSE TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR!!!
IMPAIRED / DRUNK / HIGH / STONED - - THERE ARE STILL 4-INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL NOT BE GOING HOME TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES OR FRIENDS EVER AGAIN - BECAUSE OF THIS WOMAN'S ACTIONS.......
WHILE SHE (AND I AM ASSURED HER ATTORNEY) TRIES TO USE THIS AS AN EXCUSE - - IT WASN'T MY FAULT - - - THE MEDICATIONS CAUSED THIS TRADEGY... THE FACT IS IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE
IMPAIRED - ANONYMOUSE - 2:57 PM -
DUI / DWI / DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs) - Carry Similar Penalties.
Doctors, Prescribers, and Pharmacist - will tell you the Following:
Can I drive while taking antipsychotics?
Can I drive when taking antipsychotics? Antipsychotics can affect your concentration and make you feel drowsy. This could affect how well you are able to drive especially when you first start taking the medication. You should consider stopping driving during this time if you are affected.
Maybe someone taking anti-pyschotic medication should have somebody administer it to them… just a thought
This is off Subject - Because everyone is Mourning the Lose of Life - but does anyone know if these Motorcyclist and Passengers were wearing Helmets - - when this incident happened?
I saw some previous footage where several motorcyclists were driving by on that road without helmets. Yes, it was a Beautiful Day to be out on your Bike - and the Wind does feels great , but the risk of an Accident - ending in Death and / or Head Trauma is so High without a Helmet.
In 2020, a new law went into effect. Under the revised Helmet Law, only riders and passengers 25 years old and younger must wear a helmet. Riders and passengers 26 years and older do not need to wear a helmet if they have health insurance.
As a Motorcycle Rider - - I wear a Helmet and all my Passengers always wear a Helmet - Just based on the Fact that - Your Survival Rate and reduction in Head Trauma is much Higher with a Helmet than without one - - I am never in Fear of my Riding Skills - But am afraid of the Automobiles and Drivers around me and their Driving and Awareness Skills.
Riders without helmets now account for more than half of Missouri motorcycle fatalities
Year - Missouri ranks as the No. 7 state in the nation for motorcycle mortality. The Helmet Law Changed in 2020. As you see a significant increase in Deaths without Helmets.
Year Motorcycle
Fatalities No helmet
2022 119* 66*
2021 152 78
2020 111 20
2019 118 10
Per the Highway Patrol report all the motorcyclists, whether injured or deceased, were wearing helmets.
It’s legal to ride without a helmet.
It’s illegal to drive impaired.
No need for the article you were trying to publish
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