Motorcycle deaths in Springfield and Missouri have eclipsed 2022 total

A Springfield man died Wednesday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a car at the intersection of Glenstone and Grand.

Ronny Sawyers, 25, died at a local hospital shortly after Springfield Police said his southbound Honda Shadow hit the passenger side of a 1997 Toyota Avalon attempting to turn left to go west on Grand.

Sawyers was not wearing a helmet. The crash is still under investigation and SPD is encouraging anyone who witnessed the collision to call its hotline at 417864-1810.

This was Springfield's 19th vehicle death this year and the seventh to come from a motorcycle crash. Four of the seven were not wearing helmets.

Motorcycle fatalities have increased around Springfield and the state of Missouri this year.

As of Sept. 14, Springfield has had seven motorcycle deaths, eclipsing the the 2022 total (six) and matching 2021 (seven), according to Law Enforcement Traffic System data. There have been 36 motorcycle deaths in the Springfield city limits since 2019.

Around the state of Missouri, there have been more than 122 motorcycle deaths (the last official Missouri State Highway Patrol figures was totaled at 122 on Sept. 3). Last year, there were 104.

Of the total before Wednesday's crash in Springfield, 57 of the 2023 motorcycle deaths included a rider wearing a helmet. Fifty-four did not wear a helmet and 10 were listed as unknown if a helmet was worn or not.

In 2020, a state law made helmets legally optional if you're older than 26 and have healthcare.

Missouri continues to be one of the most dangerous states in the nation for motorcyclists, according to several studies. After totaling 151 motorcycle deaths in 2021, Missouri ranked third in the nation for most motorcycle deaths, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.