Woman dies after crash in Springfield

Police released the victim's name.

May 05, 2012|by Sara Forhetz

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- A woman lost her life early Saturday morning after a car crash just east of Republic Road at Parkcrest Avenue on Friday night. Police say Melissa Eastland, 36, died from her injuries.

The crash happened after Eastland's truck crossed the center line and hit an oncoming SUV. Eastland was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries but passed away early Saturday morning.

Two other people have serious injuries as well, but police expect them to survive. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

----

Edited news release from Springfield Police Department:

Springfield Police continue their investigation into a fatal crash that occurred Friday evening on Republic Road at Parkcrest Avenue. The crash occurred as a 2008 Pontiac Torrent, operated by Linda Merkling, 50, of Nixa was traveling eastbound on Republic and a 1988 Chevrolet pickup was traveling westbound on Republic. The pickup was occupied by Darrell Eastland, 33, and Melissa Eastland, 36, both of Rogersville.

As the two vehicles were approaching each other, the pickup crossed the center line into the eastbound lane and the two vehicles struck nearly head-on. Melissa Eastland suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and died a short time later at a hospital.

Next of kin have been notified. Merkling and Darrell Eastland suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also transported to a hospital for treatment. Investigators do not suspect alcohol as a contributing factor at this time.

Investigators are still trying to determine who was driving the pickup at the time of the crash. Linda Merkling was seatbelted at the time of the crash. Darrell and Melissa Eastland were not seatbelted.

|

|

|