Gasconade County Republican

Former county resident, 20, dies
in head-on crash

A 20-year-old Linn man was killed Thursday evening in a head-on crash when he drove into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer unit while passing a big rig.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol report compiled by Trooper Coby Holzschuh and Cpl. J.A. Mulkey concluded Michael J. Keeling, Jr., was westbound on U.S. 50 at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11

when he attempted to pass a westbound 2002 Kenworth tractor pulling a trailer. Keeling’s 1992 Cadillac DeVille traveled into the path of an eastbound 2003 Kenworth tractor-trailer unit, shearing off both of the tractor’s front wheels and forcing them back under the cab’s doors. Binnie M. Christopher, 55, of Sedalia, Mo., was seat-belted in his tractor and was not injured.

After striking Christopher’s tractor, Keeling’s car careened into the path of the 2003 Kenworth tractor-and-trailer he had been attempting to pass. Herman L. Farris, 63, of Montreal, Mo., was unable to avoid Keeling’s car. The impact shoved Keeling’s car under the duals axles of Christopher’s empty box trailer. Keeling, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected when his car was struck by Farris’ rig. Keeling’s car was split in half with the rear end catching on fire after being wedged under Christopher’s trailer. The front half of the car ended up  skidding across the highway and into a ditch where it too caught fire, according to published accounts from CountyNewsLIVE.com.

Keeling was pronounced dead at the scene 10:30 p.m. by Osage County Coroner Lois Jaegers. His death was the 50th traffic fatality reported in Troop F for 2012.

Farris was also wearing a seat belt and was not injured, the patrol reported. Both men refused treatment at the scene, CountyNewsLIVE.com reported.

Since commercial carrier vehicles were involved in a fatal crash incident, an accident reconstruction team from the MSHP was called out to make a report. CountyNewsLIVE.com, citing the MSHP reported, noted the spot where the accident occurred was on a curve where there were two solid yellow lines, indicating a no-passing zone.

Firemen from the Mt. Sterling station of the Owensville Fire Department extinguished the blaze. The highway was closed in both directions at midnight during the reconstruction investigation. The crash occurred two miles east of Osage County Road 810.

Keeling had resided in Hermann for several years as a teenager, according to CNL.

Original Stroy

Michael J Keeling, Jr. was killed in a car accident last night. According to police reports the 20 year old was attemping to passa 2002 Kenworth where he struck a 2003 Kenworth tractor trailer head on. The accident occured on Highway 50 2 miles east of county road 810 in osage county. Keling, from Linn was driving a 1992 Cadillac Deville. Watch this web site and the Gasonade County Republican for more details.