City of Columbia Missouri Police Department

600 E. Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2015

CONTACT: Officer Brian Tate
Major Crash Investigator/Reconstructionist
Columbia Mo PD, Traffic Unit

Officer Latisha Stroer, Public Information Officer
Columbia Police Department
(573)874-7448
[email protected]

Fatality Traffic Crash 5300 Block Route B

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Crash

CASE: 2015-002991           

CAD:  2015051139                         

DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/21/15 @ 12:16 PM                                                                

DATE & TIME REPORTED: Same                                

CRASH LOCATION:  5300 Block Route B (Paris Rd)                         

DRIVER 1:  Weddington, Nicole M                                                Age: 30                              Columbia, Mo                                                          Injured:Yes                                                                                                               Seat Belt: No            

DRIVER 2: McKnight, Darrel L                                        Age:35                                               Columbia, SC                                                    Injured:  No                                                                                    Seat Belt:  Yes

PASSENGERS:

VEHICLE 1:  Severtsen, John J                                                               Age:  24

                   Columbia, Mo                                                                     Injured: Fatal

                                                                                                           Seat Belt: No

VEHICLE 2:  Francois, Djuan L                                                                Age: 33

                   Orlando, FL                                                                        Injured: No

                                                                                                        Seat Belt:     Yes       

DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

Crash occurred when vehicle 1, a 1995 Oldsmobile 88, was traveling north on Route B (Paris Rd) in the 5300 Blk and vehicle 2, a 2009 Freightliner Semi pulling a 2010 Vanguard 53 foot enclosed trailer, was traveling north on Route B.  Vehicle 1 was following vehicle 2.  Vehicle 2 had began to slow in an attempt to make a right turn into a private drive located at 5400 Route B, 3M.  Driver of vehicle 1 did not see vehicle 2 slowing, was unable to stop, and struck vehicle 2 in the rear.

Driver 1 (Weddington) had to be extricated from the vehicle by City of Columbia Fire personnel and was transported by EMS personnel to The University of Missouri Hospital for Minor injuries.  Driver 1 (Weddington) was released later the same evening.  The passenger in vehicle 1 (Severtsen) was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

Impairment by drugs and/or alcohol by driver 2 are not a factor. Driver 2 voluntarily submitted to a chemical test of his breath.   Driver 1 (Weddington) voluntarily submitted to a chemical test of her blood while at the hospital.  It is unknown, pending toxicology results, if Driver 1 was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Excessive speed is also not a factor.

 It is unknown at this time if driver 1 was distracted in any way prior to the crash.  Investigation into that possibility is ongoing.  

Summons/Charges:  Pending investigation



City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

-30-