Car theft leads to fatal wreck in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A stolen vehicle, being driven at a high rate of speed with no active headlights, led to a fatal two-vehicle collision Tuesday night in Poplar Bluff.

According to a report from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers received a report of a vehicle theft. The victim informed officers that they were following their vehicle and on Highway 53 near the intersection of Thomas Street. Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Highway 53, where the vehicle was last observed. 

Upon arrival to the area, they met the stolen vehicle traveling the opposite direction — northbound — at high speeds with its headlights off. When officers turned around to pursue the vehicle, they found it involved in an accident at the intersection of Highway 53 and Highway 142.

According to the report, Shanea Brown, 38, of Poplar Bluff was westbound in the stolen 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue when the vehicle entered the intersection and was struck in the side by a southbound vehicle. The other vehicle was a 2022 Kia Carnival driven by Heather L. Massie, 32, of Poplar Bluff.

Officers administered first aid to both drivers and EMS transported them to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Brown was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other driver reportedly suffered moderate injuries.

Due to the severity of the accident, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to conduct the accident investigation.

Brown is the 47th fatality for Troop E this year. Troopers reported that Massie was wearing a safety belt, Brown was not.