Garbage truck crash destroys new fire station

HORNERSVILLE, Mo. -- A sanitation truck plowed through and destroyed a new fire department meeting and training building Wednesday morning.

According to Hornersville police chief JoBeth Patterson, the truck from Branum's Disposal Service slammed into the southeast corner of the building and exited the northwest side, clipping the kennels and coming to a stop when it hit the old police department.

The truck missed the water tower by about 3 to 4 feet. Patterson said there were no injuries.

Although the driver, Richard "Tex" Reed, refused treatment at the scene and did not appear to be injured, Regina Branum of Branum's Disposal said when he returned to the office, he was sent to a doctor's office in Kennett, Mo.

"We couldn't understand what happened," said Branum. "Richard is one of our best drivers. He has been with us for nearly six years."

According to Branum, Reed was taken to a Kennett hospital, where doctors confirmed he had a stroke as a result of bleeding on the left side of the brain.

"They are now waiting to airlift him to either Memphis or Cape, whichever one can take him now," she said Wednesday afternoon.

Reed was in stable condition undergoing surgery Wednesday afternoon.

"I called the state highway patrol to request that they write up the report," Patterson said. "Since this is dealing with the city, I didn't want any conflict of interest to get in the way."

Patterson also said the building was one the firefighters had just finished, and they were almost ready to hold their first meeting in it.

She said funds for the building were raised by the firefighters.

"They raised the money and did a lot of the work themselves," Patterson said.

"The rest of the building will have to come down," said Alderman Jim Blackburn, while watching as firefighter Jason Bishop and Hornersville police officer Cody Johnson carried out salvageable items.