Missouri news organizations sue Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports
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Two of Missouri's largest news media associations are suing the Missouri State Highway Patrol, accusing the agency of illegally withholding the names of people involved in traffic crashes.
The Missouri Press Association and Missouri Broadcasters Association have filed a lawsuit challenging the patrol's decision to remove names and other identifying information from publicly available crash reports.
For nearly 30 years, the Highway Patrol published traffic and boating crash reports online without the disputed redactions.
That changed in November 2024, when the agency began removing names, including those of people killed in crashes.
The Highway Patrol previously said the change was intended to protect crash victims from scammers who were using publicly available information to impersonate troopers and demand money.
However, the media organizations argue the practice violates Missouri's Sunshine Law, which requires certain law enforcement records to remain open to the public.
The lawsuit alleges that the patrol has continued withholding information even when citizens and journalists submit formal public records requests.
The associations are asking a judge to order the Highway Patrol to provide unredacted crash reports, restore full public access to its online records and pay civil penalties and attorney's fees.
