On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 10:42 a.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to an accident that occurred on H highway east of county road 9503. The report states that the crash occurred when a 2008 Toyota Rav 4 traveling eastbound, driven by a 69 year old woman from Montrose, Missouri, left the right side of the roadway, overturned and caught fire with the driver trapped inside. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene at 11:35 a.m. by Bates County Coroner Jeret Reno. The highway patrol was also assisted at the scene by the Butler fire department and the Bates County Sheriff's office.
