August 30th, 2024

On August 29, 2024, at approximately 5:20 PM, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a four-vehicle crash on Hwy 133 near Dog Tail Rd, located in the Township of Potosi.

The investigation revealed that there were three vehicles traveling westbound on Hwy 133. The first vehicle was a 2015 Jeep driven by Debie Meade, age 34, from Hampshire, IL. Riding with her was Rachelle Gutierrez, age 33, from Chicago, IL, and her labradoodle.

The second vehicle was a 2023 Mazda CX-5 driven by Laurie Baliff, age 68, from rural Potosi.

The third westbound vehicle was a 2016 Toyota Highlander driven by Deborah Bartels, age 69, from Cassville. Riding with Bartels was Marilyn Soule, age 90, also from Cassville.

At the same time the three vehicles were traveling westbound, Kristen Schnabl, age 30, from Livingston, was driving her 2004 Chevy Silverado eastbound. Riding with Schnabl was her 1-year-old daughter. Schnabl was attempting to negotiate a left-hand curve in the roadway. According to Schnabl, she was reaching for a sippy cup or some Cheerios for her child; in the process of reaching for the items, she crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and struck all three of the above-mentioned vehicles. After the crash, the three westbound vehicles came to rest in the westbound lane in the order they were traveling. Each vehicle sustained heavy damage to their driver’s side as the Schnabl vehicle struck each one.

After striking the three vehicles, Schnabl’s vehicle continued across the eastbound lane and slammed into a concrete barrier on the north side of the roadway. The vehicle sustained heavy front-end and driver’s side damage. Schnabl became trapped in the vehicle. She was eventually extricated and transported to Grant Regional Health Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Her 1-year-old daughter was not injured in the crash.

There were several injuries to drivers and passengers of the three westbound vehicles. Some individuals were taken to Grant Regional Health Center by EMS, while others were taken by private vehicle. None of the injuries were life-threatening. There was airbag deployment in three of the four vehicles involved in the crash, and all drivers and passengers were wearing safety belts or secured in child seats.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Potosi Fire Department, Potosi EMS, Cassville EMS, Lancaster EMS, Donnie’s Tire and Tow of Dickeyville, B & M Towing of Bloomington, Arrow Towing of Lancaster, and Bennett’s Towing of Lancaster.

Schnabl was cited for Inattentive Driving and Operating Left of Center. This matter remains under investigation as criminal charges are possibly pending.