Authorities have identified the Festus man who died Monday morning, May 15, in a two-vehicle accident near Mercy Hospital Jefferson, 1400 Hwy. 61, in Crystal City.
Karl Edward Oleson, 92, died from injuries sustained in the accident, Crystal City Police Capt. Mike Pruneau said today, May 19.
He said the accident happened at about 11 a.m. while Oleson, who was driving a 2018 Volkswagen, was pulling out from the medical offices complex across the street from the hospital. Pruneau also said Oleson pulled in front of a K.A. Pazdera Hauling & Excavating dump truck driven by Jeffrey Shanks, 45, of De Soto, who was headed south on Hwy. 61.
”There was no crime, just an accident,” Pruneau said. “The dump truck could not stop in time.”
Pruneau said Oleson originally was to be transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, but as his condition worsened, it was decided to take him to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County, where he was later pronounced dead.
Pruneau said the Volkswagen was totaled and the dump truck had minor damage. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, he said.
Crystal City Police provided incorrect information for the original story the Leader ran about the accident, including Oleson’s age, the location of the accident, the direction the vehicles were headed and the hospital where Oleson was taken and died. Those details have been corrected.