Three people returning from a high school reunion and two others returning from a prayer service died when their cars collided on Highway OO, at 11:40 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2009,  in St. Francois County. The accident occurred about 0.3  miles south of Busiek Rd.

According to the preliminary  Missouri Highway Patrol report; a 1999 Cadillac DeVille driven by Yvonne J. Fulton, 46, of Farmington, Missouri  was traveling southbound on Highway OO when it was struck by a northbound 2004 Pontiac GTO driven by  Walter L. Barker, 57, also of Farmington. Barker’s vehicle had crossed the center line and hit the Fulton vehicle head-on according to the preliminary investigation. Both the driver and Gregory L. Fulton, 48, an occupant in the Cadillac were killed.

The driver of the Pontiac, Walter L. Barker, 57, and two occupants; Bessie “June” Barker, 59, of Farmington and Norma J. Holloway, 60, of Arnold were all killed.  St. Francois County Coroner Jim Coplin pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Barker and Holloway all dead at the scene.

Mrs. Barker is the former June (Phillips) Spain, who worked for many years at Madison County Title Company. She recently married Walter Barker, a 1971 graduate of Fredericktown High School. Mrs. Holloway is the former Norma Jean Tucker, a 1969 Fredericktown graduate.

Gregory L. Fulton was pronounced dead at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington. Yvonne J. Fulton was transported by Arch Air Ambulance to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur where she was later pronounced dead, according to the highway patrol report.