was killed and three other residents were injured on the morning of Friday, Dec. 19, in a four-vehicle crash on Highway 32 east of Joggerst Road, prompting an early dismissal for the Ste. Genevieve County School District R-II as the community grappled with the loss.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 50-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Highlander and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ste. Genevieve County coroner. She was later taken to Basler Funeral Home.
School district officials confirmed the woman was a well-beloved employee of the Ste. Genevieve County School District R-II. Classes were dismissed at noon, and counselors were made available to students and staff. The district’s winter break was scheduled to begin Monday.
reported the crash occurred at about 7:13 a.m. when a westbound 2025 Volvo tractor-trailer stopped on Highway 32. A westbound Kia Forte then struck the trailer, overturned, and collided with the front of an eastbound 2013 Freightliner school bus. The bus subsequently struck the westbound Toyota Highlander driven by the woman who died in the crash.
The driver of the Kia Forte, a 23-year-old woman, sustained moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital South. A 55-year-old woman driving the school bus and a 65-year-old adult passenger on the bus each suffered minor injuries and were transported to Mercy Hospital Jefferson. Two students riding the bus were not injured.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 35-year-old Farmington man, was not hurt.
District officials said the school bus, owned and operated by Ste. Genevieve County School District R-II, was carrying four occupants at the time of the crash: the driver, another adult, and two students.
The Kia Forte was declared a total loss, while the Toyota Highlander and the school bus sustained extensive damage. The tractor-trailer had minor damage. The Kia Forte, Highlander, and bus were towed by Ste. Genevieve County Towing, while the tractor-trailer was towed by Reagan Towing.
SUPERINTENDENT’S STATEMENT
Ste. Genevieve County School District R-II Superintendent Paul Taylor issued this statement to families in the St. Gen R-II School District on Friday.
“We will be dismissing early today (Friday, Dec. 19) at noon. “We have some difficult news to share with you. Bloomsdale Elementary has suffered an unexpected, tragic loss of a staff member this morning. This loss is incredibly hard to process for so many, especially right before winter break. Again, we will release at noon today. We understand that some families might have trouble picking up students early, and we will be able to keep students until the end of the day, if necessary. We will have counseling staff available today and Monday morning for those who need support. Our thoughts are with the family and with all of our family at BLE. Please take care of yourselves and one another during this difficult time.”
A Valle Catholic School official also expressed their sympathy, saying, “Valle Catholic Schools extend our heartfelt condolences to the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District and community. We lift up their family, friends, colleagues, and students in prayer, asking God for comfort, peace, and strength during this difficult time.”
State Rep. Bryant Wolfin offered his condolences. “My heart breaks for the family and for the entire R-II School District,” he said. “Please send prayers their way.”
