Van-tractor trailer wreck near Jamesport sends 10 to hospitals

A van carrying five children and four adults slammed into a tractor trailer Friday afternoon near Jamesport, Mo., sending 10 people to hospitals.

Three were in serious condition, including an infant who was airlifted by helicopter to Children’s Mercy Hospital, a Missouri State Highway Patrol report said.

The collision occurred at 2:50 p.m. at the intersection of Route NN and Missouri 6 when the van, driven by Wanda D. Harris, 41, of Casstown, Ohio, ran through a stop sign while driving south on Route NN, the report said.

The van slammed into the passenger side of the tractor trailer, which was headed west on Missouri 6 and driven by Juan G. Castro-Garcia, 45, of Kansas City, Kan.

The van spun clockwise and and the tractor trailer jackknifed. Harris’ infant son, Rafael H. Harris, was ejected from the van as was a passenger, 25-year-old Rochelle B. Hertzler of Gallatin, Mo. Hertzler was flown by helicopter to Truman Medical Center. Neither was wearing a seat restraint.

Another van passenger, Pamela L. Stahl, 23, also of Gallatin, Mo., was flown by helicopter in serious condition to the University of Kansas Hospital. The report said it was not known whether Stahl was wearing a seat restraint.

All other occupants of the van, as well as Garcia, the truck driver, were wearing seat restraints. They suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulances to various hospitals.

The other van occupants include: Sarah Wurtz, 57, of Gallatin; and Johanna E. Harris, 14; Katrina L. Harris, 13; Annika Harris, 8, and Heidi G. Harris, 6, all of Casstown, Ohio.

This story was originally published April 5, 2014 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Van-tractor trailer wreck near Jamesport sends 10 to hospitals."