Lakeview, Ark. man killed in early-morning head-on crash in Wasola

Joseph L. Kish, 42, was killed in a head-on crash at 3 a.m. last Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, on Highway 5, about five miles south of Wasola. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s online crash report, Kish was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze southbound on Highway 5 when, around 3 a.m., he crossed the centerline and struck an oncoming 2008 Lincoln MKZ driven by 44-year-old Justin S. Ivey of Mountain Home, Arkansas. 

The report says that Kish was not wearing a seatbelt. Ivey was listed as wearing a seabelt. 

Both vehicles were total losses and were towed from the scene to Jim’s Body Shop in Ava. Both drivers’ vehicles were insured, the report says.

Kish was pronounced dead at 3:45 a.m. by Ozark County Coroner Gene Britt. 

The crash was investigated by MSHP Sgt. L. S. Elliott with assistance from the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department, Gainesville Fire Department and MSHP Crash Team member Cpl. T. L. Wright.