Washburn pair killed in wrong-way collision

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cherryroad.com

Two Washburn residents and a Powell resident died on Tuesday in a wreck at 9:35 p.m. on Highway 71 near Brush Creek Road in Pineville in McDonald County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Kyler Johnson, 29, of Washburn, was driving a 2014 Nissan Versa southbound in the northbound lane and struck a northbound 2011 Toyota Prius, being driven by a 17-year-old female.

Johnson and two passengers in his vehicle, a 15-year-old male juvenile, of Washburn, and Joseph Lynch, 58, of Powell, were all pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy McDonald County Coroner Jonathan Fletcher. All three were taken to Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson.

The 17-year-old female suffered serious injuries and was flown to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

Both juveniles were wearing safety devices, and Johnson and Lynch were not. Both vehicles were totaled.

These are the 87th, 88th and 89th fatalities of the year for Troop D of the Patrol, which covers 18 counties in southwest Missouri.