A one-vehicle wreck on Route O in Atchison County caused the death of Thomas L. Smith, 41, of Tarkio. The accident occurred at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016, when a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Smith, was traveling northbound on Route O. At 155th Street, the vehicle crossed the center line and traveled off the west side of the roadway. The Malibu impacted an embankment, started to spin, and impacted the embankment a second time. The Malibu then impacted a ditch and started to overturn. Smith, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected. The Malibu came to rest off the west side of Route O on the driver’s side of the vehicle, facing north off the west side of the road. Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene at 9:47 p.m. by Atchison County Coroner Shawn Minter. Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper T.L. Shupe investigated the accident. He was assisted by Sgt. M.P. Quilty, the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department, Tarkio Fire Department, and Atchison County Coroner.