An accident on Route O near Novinger, in Adair County, took the lives of three people early Monday morning. State Troopers report drivers Thomas Traurnicht of Kirksville, Nicholaus Ford of Kirksville and a passenger in the Ford vehicle, Samantha Peek of Unionville died as a result of the accident.
According to the report from the Highway Patrol Traurnicht was eastbound on Route O and Ford, who was westbound, crossed the centerline and struck the Traurnicht vehicle. Both drivers died at the scene. Peek was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center and died about two hours after the accident. None of the three were wearing safety belts.