9-year-old seriously injured in SUV accident: Adult driver ticketed for Felony DWI, Leaving the Scene

A 9-year-old girl was seriously injured in a traffic accident just after 4 Saturday afternoon on Fairview Road, 5 miles south of Stella in McDonald County.

According to the Highway Patrol, a westbound 2005 GMC Yukon driven by 44-year old Tommy R. Eslick of Stella traveled off the left side of the road and hit a tree.

Eslick was cited for: (1) Felony DWI – Alcohol – Crash Involving Serious Injuries; (2) Felony – leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Injuries; (3) No Valid License; (4) Resisting Arrest (5) Failure to Drive on the Right Half of the Roadway.

There were no injuries for Eslick but a 9-year-old female in the vehicle was not wearing a seatbelt and was seriously injured.

She was transported by Newton County Ambulance to Joplin Mercy Hospital.