Man Dies Of Wreck Injuries
A Joplin man died in Freeman Hospital from injuries he received in a one-car accident at 1:25 a.m. Saturday at the south edge of Joplin near Shoal Creek bridge on I 44.
Allen Wesley Van Kooten, 34, 3307 Finley Ave., driver of the car, died at 6:28 a.m. in Freeman Hospital from head injuries and numerous fractures.
Shirley Mae England, 30, 1824 Illinois Ave., a passenger in the car, suffered head injuries and was listed in fair condition at Freeman Hospital.
According to the highway patrol, the accident occurred when the east bound Van Kooten car struck the east end of Shoal Creek bridge and overturned, throwing the occupants from the vehicie.
Mr. Van Kooten was born Jan.5,1942 at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and moved to Joplin in 1966 from Iowa. He was a Marine veteran and was employed as a truck driver.
He is survived by his wife Eva Irene Van Kooten; two sons, Quentin Van Kooten, St Louis, and Wesley Van Kooten,Omaha, Neb.; a daughter, Anita Van Kooten, Omaha; a stepson, William Anderson, of the home; a stepdaughter, Lori Anderson of the home; his father, Albert Van Kooten, Oskaloosa; his mother, Wilma Monast, Upper, Artington, Ohio, a brother, Bryce Van Kooten, Fort Smith, Ark., and a sister, Kathy Jackson, Fort Smith.