Vernon County resident injured in boat explosion on Memorial Day

A Vernon County resident suffered minor injuries as the result of a boat explosion on the Memorial Day holiday Monday, May 29.

The incident occurred at 11:10 a.m., at the State Park Marina at Stockton Lake when 40-year-old Justin C. Million, of Sheldon, Mo., attempted to start a 1997 Seadoo PWC, when the vessel exploded, ejecting Million.

Million received care for his injuries at Cox Barton Memorial Hospital, in Lamar, Mo.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 10 people died in traffic crashes over the 2023 Memorial Day weekend counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 26, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 29.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated the following over the 2023 Memorial Day holiday weekend:

Traffic Statistics

• Crashes: 314

• Injuries: 102

• Fatalities: 10

• DWI: 130

• Drug Arrests: 14

Boating Statistics

• Crashes: 6

• Injuries: 3

• Fatalities: 0

• Drowning: 0

• BWI: 7

• Drug Arrests: 0

Troopers investigated all of the traffic crash fatalities. Two fatalities occurred in both the Troop B, Macon, Mo., area, and the Troop I, Rolla, Mo., area. One fatality occurred in each of the following areas: Troop A, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Troop C, Weldon Spring, Mo., Troop D, Springfield, Mo., Troop E, Poplar Bluff, Mo., Troop G, Willow Springs, Mo., and Troop H, St. Joseph, Mo.

Two people died within the counting period on Friday, May 26, 2023.