Local News
Laura McLinn-West Dies After Motorcycle Crash While Avoiding Deer in Camden County, Rider Dave West Injured
CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — A Laquey woman has died after a motorcycle crash that occurred while the rider attempted to avoid a deer on a rural roadway east of Camdenton, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The victim has been identified as Laura McLinn-West, 48, of Laquey, who later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the crash occurred Sunday night on Route A, approximately 1,003 feet east of Rainwater Drive in Camden County.
A preliminary investigation determined that a 2010 Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide was traveling eastbound when a deer entered the motorcycle’s path.
Investigators said the rider attempted to avoid the animal, causing the motorcycle to crash. Both the operator and passenger were thrown from the motorcycle during the incident.
Laura West, who was riding as the passenger, suffered critical injuries in the crash.
She was airlifted by medical helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia, where she later succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
The motorcycle’s driver Dave West, who is also from Laquey, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. No additional details have been released regarding contributing factors beyond the deer entering the roadway.
Authorities noted that the crash marks Troop F’s 35th traffic fatality of 2026.
The investigation remains ongoing as troopers work to determine the complete sequence of events leading up to the deadly collision.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airport’s fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emge’s contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.