Sedan hits big rig south of Cassville

A Cassville man died on Thursday in a wreck at 3:24 p.m. on Highway 76, five miles south of Cassville.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Walter Hooper III, 28, of Cassville, was driving a 2008 Ford Taurus westbound when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck head on a 2000 Freightliner, being driven by Christopher Diehl, 50, of Eureka Springs, Ark.

Hooper was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:50 p.m. by Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen. He was transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Diehl was not injured in the collision.

Both men were wearing safety devices, and both vehicles were totaled.

This is the 11th fatality of the year for Troop D, which covers 18 counties in southwest Missouri, including Barry.