Trooper Kelly Poynter was struck and killed while assisting with a vehicular.
On January 18, 2002, Trooper Kelly Poynter was struck and killed by a drunk driver while working an accident scene on U.S. Route 63 in Texas County, Missouri. The driver of the vehicle that struck Trooper Poynter was intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed. She was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. The suspect was sentenced to 7 years but released after serving only 120 days for completing an alcohol treatment program.
Trooper Poynter had been employed with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for six years. Kelly began working for the Laclede County Sheriff's Office before attending and graduating from the Missouri Law Enforcement Academy in 1996 after earning his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Mineral Area College. He was survived by his wife and two young sons.
Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial