A Springfield man died Saturday morning following a two-vehicle crash on Route 360 one mile west of Republic.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol crash report, Douglas R. Grimes, 59, of Stover was driving a 2011 Peterbilt tractor eastbound and attempted U-turn. The tractor became disabled and blocked the roadway.
Gary C. Sawyer, 74, of Springfield was driving a 2018 Ford Taurus westbound. Sawyer's vehicle struck the passenger side of the towed unit of Grimes’ tractor.
Sawyer was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:40 a.m., and next of kin was notified.
Sawyer was Troop D’s ninth fatality for 2023.
