The death of Eric D. Pickett, 26, Salem, is being ruled a suicide, according to Dent County Coroner Gina White.
White said Sept. 1 that she pronounced Pickett dead 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at his home at the Gano Trailer Court on Highway 19 north of Salem.
"The cause of death was ruled asphyxiation by suffocation," White said.
White and members of the Dent County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident, the coroner said.
HIGHWAY PATROL ACCIDENT REPORT
Two Salem men suffered minor injuries in a one-car crash Sept. 1 east of Salem.
The driver, Benjamin R. Wisdom, 30, and a passenger, Andres L. Segovia, 17, refused treatment at the scene, according to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at 10:10 p.m. on Rt. 32, four miles east of Salem, as Wisdom's vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and partially overturned before coming to rest.
Wisdom was driving a 1993 Ford Escort eastbound. The car sustained total damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker's Towing of Salem.
Both Wisdom and Segovia were wearing a seatbelt.
A Lesterville man was killed in a motorcycle crash Aug. 26 west of Bunker, and two Rolla residents suffered minor injuries in a crash Aug. 28 west of Lecoma.
• Clarence E. Russell, 56, was pronounced at 3 p.m. by Dent County Coroner Gina White, according to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred as Russell, driving a 2006 Honda VTX 1300R motorcycle, drifted off the right side of the roadway, the driver was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a rock bluff.
The crash occurred at 1:15 p.m. on Rt. A, five miles west of Bunker.
Russell was taken to Wilson Mortuary by the coroner then released to McSpadden Funeral Home.
Russell was wearing a helmet.
This was Troop I's 16th fatality this year.
• Geneva S. Alexander, 29, the driver, and a passenger, Alexander's daughter, Carlie M. Aranda, 8, were taken by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The crash occurred at 11:45 a.m. Aug. 28 on Rt. OO, two miles west of Lecoma, as Alexander lost control of the vehicle while rounding a curve and the vehicle ran off the right side of the road, struck a highway sign and overturned.
Alexander was driving a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser westbound. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker's Towing of Salem.
Both Alexander and Aranda were wearing seatbelts.
HIGHWAY PATROL INCIDENT REPORT
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Aug. 31 arrested three Salem residents, according to the patrol's online arrest reports.
According to the reports:
• Ashley F. Gussey, 31, was arrested 9:47 p.m. for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was first incarcerated in the Dent County jail then released.
• Jack D. McDonald, 29, was arrested 9:43 p.m. for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was first incarcerated in the Dent County jail then released.
• David J. Doyle, 28, was arrested 9:29 p.m. for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Dent
County Jail with no bond.
POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT
• At 5:55 p.m. Aug. 28 at Hwy. 32-72 a 2007 Chevrolet driven by Paula Stidham, Salem, started to make a left turn onto Hwy. 32 and contact was made with a 1987 Nissan driven by Howard Johns, Salem.
Occupants of the Stidham vehicle were transported by private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment.
• At 2:34 p.m. Aug. 27 at 1101 West Hwy. 32 a 1991 Dodge driven by Ashley Roberts, Salem, was making a left turn northbound in the Walmart parking lot and a 2002 Chevrolet driven by Carri McGee, Salem, was traveling southbound and failed to yield to Roberts and the vehicles collided.
The Roberts vehicle sustained minor damage and moderate damage was reported to McGee's vehicle.
Both vehicles sustained moderate damage.
POLICE INCIDENT REPORT
• Sometime between 8:30 p.m. Aug. 24 and 5 p.m. Aug. 29 person(s) unknown took a lawn mower cart valued at $125 from a residence in the 700 block of East Third Street. The theft was reported 7:45 a.m. Aug. 30.
• Sometime between 9:30 p.m. Aug. 29 and 8 a.m. Aug. 30 person(s) unknown took a CD player valued at $60 from a 1995 Chevrolet on McGrath Lane The theft was reported 9 a.m.. Aug. 30.
• Sometime between 1 p.m. Aug. 29 and 9 a.m. Aug. 30 person(s) unknown took a debit card, flashlight and a small amount of cash from a 1996 Ford on Virginia Avenue. The theft was reported 9:40 a.m. Aug.30.
• Sometime between 9 p.m. Aug. 29 and 10 a.m. Aug. 30 person(s) unknown took an AM-FM CD player, and CDs valued at $312 from a 1993 Chrysler The theft was reported 10:30 a.m. Aug. 30.
• Sometime between 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 and 12:05 a.m. Aug. 28 person(s) unknown took an IPOD touch and FM transmitter, valued at $250, from a 1999 Chevrolet in the 600 block of South Jackson Street.
• A 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for disorderly conduct and property damage in connection with a report of a disorderly person 3 p.m. Aug. 28 on Ray Lane. He was issued summons to appear in court and released.
• A 51-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, property damage and assault in connection with a report 7:50 p.m. Aug. 28 of an individual driving through yards. He was issued summons to appear in court and incarcerated.
• A 1999 Ford Escort reported stolen from the Burger King parking lot Aug. 12 was recovered Aug. 27 in Springfield by the Springfield Police Department. The vehicle was found abandoned.
• Sometime between 6:40 p. m. and 11:30 a.m. person(s) unknown entered a residence in the 400 block of North Park and took a safe and its contents.
SHERIFF'S INCIDENT REPORT
A 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested August 16 for distributing controlled substances, according to court records and a report from the Dent County Sheriff's Office.
According to the reports:
• Crystal L. Cunningham was charged with two counts of distribution, delivery or sale of oxycodone to two individuals.
The sheriff's report said the arrest stemmed from an investigation into a local burglary. Approximately 661/2 oxycodone pills were allegedly distributed to the individuals, according to the sheriff's report.
• A burglary was reported Aug. 12 at the Joe Norris residence. Entry was made through an unlocked front door and a 37-inch Polaroid television set was reported stolen. The television cost $741 new, according to Norris.
• James Barton was arrested for driving while intoxicated in an incident reported to the sheriff's office 2:19 p.m. Aug. 12 on Highway 0 east of county road 2135.
