Howell County Sheriff’s Deputy in head-on collision

A Howell County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a head-on collision at 9:35 a.m. on Friday. Deputy Devon Mendenhall, 23, was driving southbound on State Route 76 in non-emergency mode near Snappy Mart. As the deputy approached, a Ford F-350 made a left turn, crashing into the patrol car, Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Josh Kenyon told Howell County News at the scene.

The other driver, Justin Stanley, 27, of Willow Springs, sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital from the scene by ambulance.

Both drivers were able to exit the vehicles on their own, Trooper Kenyon said. 

According to Howell County Sheriff Brent Campbell, Deputy Mendenhall is "banged up," but will make a full recovery. He has no broken bones or other serious injuries.

As news of the crash broke, many people reached out to the sheriff's department with well wishes for Deputy Mendenhall.

"That meant a lot," Sheriff Campbell said.

Missouri State Highway Patrol will perform a complete investigation and reconstruction, confirmed Troop G’s Public Information Officer, Sergeant E. Thomas Young. At this point in the investigation, there is no information available on either driver’s speed. Regardless, recovered video of the incident shows the pickup truck failing to yield, ultimately causing the crash, Sgt. Young confirms. 

Lexi Green contributed to this report.