A motorcycle collided with a deer on Hwy. 59 four miles north of Fairfax, Missouri, August 2, 2018, and the accident sent one occupant to the hospital with moderate injuries. The 1981 Honda Goldwing, driven by Frank Kephart, 40, of Tarkio, Missouri, was headed northbound at 9:35 p.m. on Hwy. 59 when it struck a deer and came to rest on its side, facing south. A passenger on the motorcycle, Angela A. Orozco, 39, received moderate injuries and was transported to Community Hospital-Fair­fax in Fairfax by an Atchison-Holt ambulance. Both motorcycle occupants were wearing helmets.
The 1981 Honda Goldwing sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene. The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper N.A. Re­gan, who was assisted by Trooper A.J. Foss, the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department, Atchison-Holt Ambulance Service, Tarkio Police Department and first responders.
Due to the quick and efficient action taken by local passersby who called 911 and who protected and treated the injured party who was lying in the roadway, the accident wasn’t made worse. A speeding vehicle came upon the accident and drove through so quickly that their vehicle kicked up debris and nearly ran over the people in the roadway before another driver was able to position their vehicle across the roadway to block traffic. When approaching an accident, please use extreme caution and drive slowly around the scene if you can not stop or stop if possible to assist. Thank you to the local heroes who risked their own safety to provide help for someone in need.