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Thursday night's accident at the intersection of U.S. Highways 69 and 400 claimed the life of one and sent two more to a local hospital.
The accident occurred at 9:35 p.m. Thursday night. Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a 1997 Nissan Maxima driven by Kaston Leslie Hudgins, 22, Galena, near the town of Crestline. When the car sped off northward, police pursued.
At the intersection with U.S. 400, Hudgins rear-ended a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven by Teresa Kemp, 41, Pittsburg. Kemp's passenger was her 13-year-old daughter, Taylor.
Taylor Kemp was pronounced dead on scene and her mother was taken by helicopter to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. As of 4:45 p.m. Friday afternoon, Teresa Kemp was listed in critical condition by St. John's.
Hudgins was also airlifted to St. John's Regional Medical Center and was the only one in the crash not wearing a seat belt. St. John's could not give information on the injuries for Hudgins.
Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves issued a statement: “This is an incredibly tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends affected by this event."
Groves hesitated to provide details about the accident for fear of harming the prosecution's case.
"The driver was being pulled over for committing traffic violations," Groves said. "The county attorney has asked me not to go into detail about it. I don't want to hinder the prosecution, because the driver needs to be held accountable for his actions.
"I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest for his actions. HIs actions caused a loss of life last night."
Thursday night's accident at the intersection of U.S. Highways 69 and 400 claimed the life of one and sent two more to a local hospital.
The accident occurred at 9:35 p.m. Thursday night. Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a 1997 Nissan Maxima driven by Kaston Leslie Hudgins, 22, Galena, near the town of Crestline. When the car sped off northward, police pursued.
At the intersection with U.S. 400, Hudgins rear-ended a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven by Teresa Kemp, 41, Pittsburg. Kemp's passenger was her 13-year-old daughter, Taylor.
Taylor Kemp was pronounced dead on scene and her mother was taken by helicopter to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. As of 4:45 p.m. Friday afternoon, Teresa Kemp was listed in critical condition by St. John's.
Hudgins was also airlifted to St. John's Regional Medical Center and was the only one in the crash not wearing a seat belt. St. John's could not give information on the injuries for Hudgins.
Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves issued a statement: “This is an incredibly tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends affected by this event."
Groves hesitated to provide details about the accident for fear of harming the prosecution's case.
"The driver was being pulled over for committing traffic violations," Groves said. "The county attorney has asked me not to go into detail about it. I don't want to hinder the prosecution, because the driver needs to be held accountable for his actions.
"I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest for his actions. HIs actions caused a loss of life last night."
