James D. Larson Obituary, Death – A fatal accident occurred on Highway 39, just a mile north of Shell Knob, Missouri, on the afternoon of September 23, 2024. The crash took place at 2:03 p.m. and involved a 2005 GMC Yukon, driven by 46-year-old Melissa R. Hollie, also from Shell Knob. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hollie lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve, causing it to veer off the right side of the road. The vehicle overturned and eventually collided with a fence.
Melissa Hollie, who was wearing her seat belt, sustained moderate injuries in the crash. She was transported to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, by Mercy Ambulance for medical treatment.
James D. Larson, a 57-year-old passenger in the vehicle, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene by Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen at 3:10 p.m. Larson’s body was transported to the Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville, Missouri.
This crash marks the 80th fatality within the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop D jurisdiction in 2024. Several officers assisted at the scene, including Corporal T.L. Coffey and Trooper D.R. Hukill. The vehicle was removed from the crash site by Schrader’s Towing, a local towing service in Shell Knob.
An ongoing investigation into the crash is being conducted by MSGT J.E. Givens and Crash Team Corporal T.R. Wright to determine the precise cause of the accident and gather additional details.