Two Killed in Crash South of Purdy, Missouri

Accident on MO 37 leaves two dead, two injured after vehicle hydroplanes into oncoming traffic

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:06am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car part, such as a cracked windshield or twisted metal, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a fatal car crash.A grim reminder of the dangers of hydroplaning and the need for caution on rural Missouri roads.Purdy Today

A two-vehicle collision on MO 37 a half mile south of Purdy, Missouri on Friday afternoon resulted in the deaths of a 65-year-old Shell Knob woman and a 41-year-old Exeter woman. The Shell Knob woman's vehicle hydroplaned into the southbound lane, striking the front of an SUV driven by a 46-year-old woman from Noblesville, Indiana. The Indiana driver and her 40-year-old passenger from Columbia were both seriously injured and transported to a hospital in Springfield.

Why it matters

Fatal car crashes on rural Missouri highways are an ongoing public safety concern, with weather conditions like heavy rain often contributing to these tragic incidents. This particular crash highlights the dangers of hydroplaning and the importance of safe driving practices, especially in inclement weather.

The details

According to the Highway Patrol report, the 2009 GMC Envoy driven by the 65-year-old Shell Knob woman hydroplaned into the southbound lane, with the passenger side of her vehicle striking the front of a 2005 Honda CRV driven by the 46-year-old Noblesville, Indiana woman. The Shell Knob woman and her 41-year-old Exeter passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Barry County Coroner. The Indiana driver and her 40-year-old passenger from Columbia were both seriously injured and transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield.

  • The crash occurred at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

65-year-old Shell Knob woman

The driver of the 2009 GMC Envoy that hydroplaned into oncoming traffic, resulting in her death and the death of her passenger.

41-year-old Exeter woman

The passenger in the 2009 GMC Envoy who was killed in the crash.

46-year-old Noblesville, Indiana woman

The driver of the 2005 Honda CRV that was struck by the hydroplaning vehicle, sustaining serious injuries.

40-year-old Columbia woman

The passenger in the 2005 Honda CRV who was also seriously injured in the crash.

Gary Swearingen

The Barry County Coroner who pronounced the two victims dead at the scene.

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What’s next

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and authorities will work to notify the victims' families.

The takeaway

This tragic crash serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of hydroplaning and the importance of exercising extreme caution when driving in inclement weather conditions on rural Missouri highways.