Two people killed in head-on collision on 43, driver charged with DWI

Lance Stockhauser, 19, Siloam Springs, Arkansas was charged with driving while intoxicated after two people were killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle collision 4 p.m. Sunday on MO 43 one mile north of Southwest City.

 Stockhauser, after being treated for serious injuries at Northwest Medical Center, Bentonville, Arkansas, is being held at the McDonald County Detention Center without bond.

The initial appearance for Stockhauser, whose charges include DWI involving the death of two people, and DWI causing physical injury, was held this morning. He entered a not guilty plea.

From the probable cause statement:

When I arrived on scene, I observed a blue Ford Bronco with heavy front end damage blocking the road and EMS performing CPR on the driver of that vehicle and a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with heavy front end damage in the field beside the Flord. I observed a white male sitting in front of the Jeep talking on his cell phone.

Sergeant C. Clark had arrived on scene just before me an contacted me when I arrive. He advised me the passenger of the Jeep was sitting in a nearby vehicle waiting for medical assistance and he needed interviewed. I contacted the passenger and asked what happened.

The passenger stated the driver of the Jeep was driving too fast and erratic, at times driving with no hands. The passenger stated he was scared of the driver and how he was acting prior to the crash.

I approached the white male sitting in front of the Jeep and identified him as Lance A. Stockhauser. I identified him as the driver of the Jeep. While I was speaking with Stockhauser, I observed his eyes to be bloodshot and watery. I could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Stockhauser's person. I asked Stockhauser if he would perform field sobriety tests and he refused.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Stockhauser, driving the Jeep, attempted to pass another vehicle and struck the Ford Bronco head on.

The driver of the Bronco, a 60-year-old Anderson man and a passenger, a 60-year-old Anderson woman, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, a 65-year-old Bella Vista, Arkansas man was flown to Northwest Medical Center, Bentonville, with serious injuries.

The fatalities were the 94th and 95th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.