Summersville Truck Driver Charged with Manslaughter

David Keeler, 40, of Summersville, faces a charge of first degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second degree assault of a special victim after a tractor trailer crash in January that claimed the life of a woman. 

Officers from the West Plains Police Department responded to the crash at US Highway 63 and State Route CC on January 20. A 2010 Pontiac G6 had been struck by a 2015 Peterbilt tractor trailer at the intersection. West Plains Fire Department and South Howell County Ambulance worked together to extricate the driver and occupant of the passenger car, who were both seriously injured. The passenger, Anna Hambelton of West Plains, succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at Ozarks Medical Center for treatment. 

Keeler was the driver of the tractor trailer. He stated to officers at the scene that the light was red when he went through the intersection. He tried to stop, but he hit the passenger vehicle. Four witnesses at the scene told officers that the tractor trailer ran the red light and hit the car. Later two additional witnesses reported Keeler failed to stop at the red light or even slow down. According to a probable cause statement filed by Detective Bryan Bauer of the West Plains Police Department, there were no skid marks at the intersection indicating the truck tried to slow down. The truck came to a stop 981 feet away from the scene of the crash. 

Charges were filed against Keeler bby Howell County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Weatherman on August 6.