Teenager dies in Christmas Eve crash north of Dora

Fourteen-year-old Sydnee Paige Snow, of Ava, died as the result of a Christmas Eve vehicle accident on Highway 181 three miles north of Dora. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol online crash report, the accident occurred at 9:35 p.m. Thursday when a 2010 Kia Forte driven southbound by Madison Croney, 20, of Ava, lost control of the vehicle, skidded off the roadway and struck a tree. Sydnee, a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene by Shawn Garrison with Howell County Ambulance at 10:25 p.m. 

Sydnee was wearing a seatbelt, according to the report. Croney, who was taken by air ambulance to Cox South, was not wearing a seatbelt. The vehicle, which was totaled, was removed by Ron’s Recovery Service. 

The crash was investigated by MSHP Sgt. C. Hogue. Dora Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash with Eastern Douglas VFD. 

This was the 41st fatal vehicle accident this year for MSHP Troop G, compared with 40 fatalities at this time last year. (See obituary, page 8.)