NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — Saturday night shortly after 10:15 p.m. Newton County Central Dispatch were alerted to a single vehicle crash, 5339 Hwy NN. Redings Mill Fire Protection District, Newton County Ambulance, Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies all responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol were were notified.
Trooper Cpl. C. Clark tells us at the scene that preliminary information shows excessive speed as a cause of the crash. The minivan was traveling south on NN Hwy. Just past Dutch Elm, “failed to negotiate a curve, went off the left side of the road. Hit the ditch, hit a telephone pole and began overturning.” The vehicle came to rest in some trees.
The initial report states James Uitts, 50, of Joplin, was driving a 2015 Dodge Caravan, He was killed in the crash along with an 8-year-old male passenger. “Both were pronounced on the scene at 2226 and 2242 hours by Newton County Deputy Coroner Brian Artherton.”
Chuck’s Towing of Joplin was summoned to remove the vehicle from the scene. The crash was cleared and command was terminated around 1:30 a.m. Troopers requested a Troop D crash team to respond to the location shortly before 11:00 p.m. We will update information here as it becomes available from troopers.
“We lost our beloved Wyatt on Saturday, May 22, 2021 in a horrible car crash. His father also died in the crash. Wyatt lost his mother to cancer in 2019. His family desires to bury him so that his brother, Adrian, will have a place to visit. Wyatt’s aunt took in Wyatt and Adrian after their mother passed away, caring for them. I am sure most of you are aware that funerals are expensive. Please consider helping Wyatt’s family give Wyatt a funeral and resting place so that Adrian will have some closure.” CLICK FOR GO FUND ME
