Full Breakdown
Wrong-Way Crash on Highway 65 Near Hollister Claims Two Lives and Injures Five
8/25/2026, 12:04:17 PM
Collision Overview
A head-on collision occurred just before 4 p.m. on a Saturday when a 69-year-old woman from Branson drove a Chevrolet HHR northward in the southbound passing lane of Highway 65 near the M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport. The vehicle struck an oncoming SUV driven by a 34-year-old man from Hollister. The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV’s 35-year-old female passenger was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield in serious condition and died early the following Monday. The driver of the SUV and two juvenile passengers (ages 10 and 11) sustained injuries and were also transported to Mercy Hospital.
Victims and Injuries
In addition to the civilian casualties, Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Colten Henderson, a member of Troop D, was injured in the crash. His wife, Haley Henderson, died at the hospital on Monday, while their two children suffered minor injuries and have since been released. The remaining occupants of the SUV—a male driver and the two children—were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and discharged.
Official Response and Community Support
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed the details of the crash in its report and noted that all vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts. Troop D’s traffic-crash fatalities rose to 83 for 2026, marking the unit’s 82nd and 83rd deaths this year. The Missouri State Troopers’ Association posted on social media urging community assistance for the Henderson family. A GoFundMe campaign launched shortly after the incident had raised more than $36,000 by Monday afternoon, and additional donations can be mailed to the association at the address provided.
Statistics and Impact
The incident added two fatalities and three injuries to the statewide traffic-crash toll for 2026. Troop D’s cumulative fatality count for the year now stands at 83, reflecting the ongoing risk of wrong-way driving on Missouri highways. The community’s rapid fundraising response underscores local support for law-enforcement families affected by such tragedies.
