Highway Patrol Stays Busy During Winter Storm, One Fatality Reported

A massive winter storm dumped eight inches of snow on the area last week, forcing the closure of schools and government offices. Businesses were disrupted and traffic was stalled every which way for the better part of two days.

Snow plows tried their best to keep the roads clean as the Missouri Department of Transportation urged people to stay home, unless absolutely necessary.

From 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday to 10 a.m. on Friday, the highway patrol reported 3,623 calls for service.

There were 2,138 stranded motorists and 683 crashes.

Forty-seven people were injured and one person was killed.

That accident happened in Pulaski County on Wednesday afternoon. 

Kuuipolani Kamai, 45, Laquey, was driving a 2017 Kia Sorrento on Highway P, two-tenths of a mile west of Highway 17.

Kamai began to slide on snow and ice-covered roadways. The vehicle slid sideways, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a bridge abutment. 

Kamai was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was wearing a seat belt.

Gov. Mike Parson issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm, activating the National Guard to assist the highway patrol with stranded motorists.

With the sun coming out Friday and traffic still light, road crews were able to get ahead. Many roads throughout the area were cleared.