A rollover crash turned fatal for a Tarkio man and seriously injured the driver, also from Tarkio, on May 6, 2020, on Hwy. 46, three miles west of Maryville, Missouri. The accident occurred at 1:45 p.m. when a 2004 Mercury Monterey, driven by Elizabeth “Beth” M. Merriett, 31, was driving eastbound on 46 when the vehicle crossed the center line, drove over the westbound lane, and traveled off the north side of the road. It struck a utility pole and overturned multiple times, ejecting the passenger, Neil Minor, 37, who was not wearing a seat belt. The vehicle came to rest on its top off the north side of the roadway, facing northwest. Minor came to rest east of the vehicle in a field.

Minor was pronounced deceased at the scene by Nodaway County Coroner Vince Shelby at 2:25 p.m. and his body was transported to Price Funeral Home by the coroner. Next of kin was notified. Beth Merriett, who was also not wearing a seat belt, received serious injuries and was transported by Lifenet to KU Medical Center. The 2004 Mercury Monterey was totaled and towed from the scene by Shell’s of Maryville.

The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. T.B. Ziegler and Major Crash Investigative Unit No. 1 Sgt. H.A. Sears, Sgt. M.P. Quilty, Corp. B.E. Maudlin, Trooper T.R. Hecker, Trooper K.A. McCallister, Kansas Highway Patrol, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, Tarkio Police Department, Nodaway County Ambulance Service, and the Maryville Fire Department.