Snow Covered Roads Lead to Fatal Wreck Near Hopkins

Snow covered roads led to a fatal wreck near Hopkins Saturday evening. Around 2-5 inches of snow hit the area, and roads were covered in snow and slush.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2005 Kia Sorrento Van driven by Justin Snuffer (37) of Hopkins was northbound on Route 148 three miles south of Hopkins and a 2007 Chevy Pickup driven by Austin Bird (16) of Hopkins was southbound at around 9:12 pm. The Patrol says the Snuffer vehicle lost control on the snow-covered roadway and went off the right side of the road. The Snuffer vehicle overcorrected and crossed the roadway, striking the Bird vehicle head-on. After impact, the Snuffer vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, while the Bird vehicle went off the left side. Both came to rest of their wheels.

A passenger in the Snuffer vehicle, Sharon Snuffer (34) of Hopkins, was killed. The driver of the Snuffer vehicle, Justin Snuffer, received moderate injuries and was taken to St. Francis. Two minor children in the Snuffer vehicle were not injured; the Patrol says they were spared by being properly secured in child safety seats. Bird received moderate injuries and was taken to St. Francis. All were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.