Globe/T. Rob Brown
The family of Wayne Peck gathers around the roadside memorial near Sarcoxie recently, while Wayne’s father, Bob Peck, lays flowers in memory of his son.
Published June 26, 2009 06:05 pm - Peck headed north on his motorcycle toward Blackberry Road. About 15 minutes after he said goodbye to his mother, Wayne was dead. He was 33.
‘Epidemic proportions’: Sarcoxie family’s loss raises questions about persistent DWI offenders w/ video
By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
SARCOXIE, Mo. — Carol Peck was sitting on the piano bench in her living room when her youngest son, Wayne, came to tell her goodbye. It was around 10 p.m. on July 4, 2003. The family had spent the day together — eating, laughing and shooting fireworks.
“He said, ‘I’m going home now, see you later,’” she said. “Those were his last words, ‘I’m going home now.’ I didn’t know which home he was going to, but we do now.”
Wayne left his farm in rural Sarcoxie on Apple Road, hopped on his motorcycle and headed to his apartment in Joplin. He left his 10-year-old son, Andrew, asleep on the couch with his grandparents. The family had plans to meet up in Joplin for breakfast the next morning.
Peck headed north on his motorcycle toward Blackberry Road. About 15 minutes after he said goodbye to his mother, Wayne was dead. He was 33.
According to the accident report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, his motorcycle was struck by an eastbound car that crossed the center line after losing control on the curve near Blackberry and Bluff roads. The impact severed Peck’s left leg. Trauma and blood loss are the most likely causes of death.
When Highway Patrolman Les Wilson arrived on scene about 10 minutes after the collision, the driver of the car, Jason Garrison, then 24, was nowhere to be found.
Wilson’s crash report indicates alcohol and inattentive driving were probable factors in Garrison’s driving.
Police later issued an arrest warrant for Garrison. A probable-cause statement filed in connection with the crash stated that Garrison fled the scene of the accident on foot. He made his way to an adult bookstore in Sarcoxie and had a friend pick him up around 2 a.m.
Wilson completed his investigation of the crash scene, and went to notify Wayne’s family.
“It was the hardest death notification I’ve ever done,” he said. “He was literally with the family up until 15 minutes before he died. He left his son there.”