Yet another accident injured local teenagers on January 21, 2014 at the Lake of the Ozarks. The three teens were travelling in a 1995 Jeep when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Three Camdenton teenagers were injured in a one-car wreck Sunday evening.
Skyler Reeves, 17, was driving a 1995 Jeep on Route U when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and struck a tree.
The Jeep was driven by 17 year old Skyler Reeves. Reeves was injured, as was a 17 year old passenger, Wyatt Manley. Both were transported to Lake Regional Hospital for care of their injuries. A younger passenger, 14 year old Lincoln McGuire, sustained injuries significant enough to be transported by helicopter to Springfield, Missouri.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Reeves’ vehicle travelled through a privately owned yard before striking the tree. While the report does not specify exactly what caused the vehicle to leave the road, it has been our experience that when a carload of teenagers is travelling, the chances of an accident occurring are increased. It is not unusual to find that the driver was distracted by the conversation and activity going on inside the vehicle, and is not driving with the highest degree of care. Increasingly, we are seeing the use of social media and texting on cell phones to be a contributing factor.
Fortunately, all three occupants were wearing their seat belts. These three teens are still alive.