White County man involved in fatal head-on collision

LICKING, Mo. (KAIT) - State police said a White County man suffered no injuries in a head-on collision that left another man dead.

The crash happened at 4;20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, on Highway VV, four miles south of Licking, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Hayden J. Mercer, 30, of Searcy was eastbound when he attempted to pass another vehicle.

According to the updated crash report, Mercer’s 2022 GMC Sierra struck a westbound 2003 Ford Taurus driven by 55-year-old Richard E. Strom of Licking head on.

Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater pronounced Strom dead at the scene at 5:14 p.m.

Mercer was not injured.

clarification: The Missouri State Highway Patrol originally said Hayden Mercer died in the crash.

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