Survivor of deadly Highway 30 crash in Jefferson County calls for road markings

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4) - David Politte, who survived a deadly crash with his 5-year-old son on Highway 30 near Gravois Road in Jefferson County on Saturday night, said he is concerned about road conditions on that stretch of highway.

Politte said it was a miracle he and his son, Kolbie, survived. He said this is the second crash he has survived, as he and his mother were caught in a crash when he was 13 years old.

Politte said he remains anxious to get behind the wheel days later.

“I never imagined that I would have been in such a horrific accident where so many people had lost their lives,” Politte said.

What Politte said happened

Politte said he was driving in the slow lane of Highway 30 with Kolbie in the back seat when he saw two cars crash, forming a dust cloud.

“The cloud had moved in front of me. And I just was praying that we’d make it through. We didn’t,” Politte said.

Four people died in the crash. Politte’s car was totaled, but he and his son were two of the three survivors.

Politte said that after he got his son out of the car, he asked if he was OK.

“When I got him out, I asked him if he was okay. He said yes. His chest was hurting. He was grabbing his chest. And he just kept asking, ‘Are they okay? Are they okay?” Politte said.

Concerns about road conditions

Politte said his main concern is the condition of that stretch of Highway 30, which has no road markings, making it difficult to navigate at night.

“They paved it, didn’t put lines on it for miles. And so now we turned a dangerous road into an even more dangerous road,” Politte said.

On Monday, Jefferson County Council hosted the first of three public hearings on lowering the speed limit along a northern section of the roadway. Their next public hearings are on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 23.

For the section where the crash happened, the Missouri Department of Transportation said crews still have to finish resurfacing and install rumble strips before adding striping to the road.

Politte said that until then, it is more crucial to be cautious.

“Hold your loved ones, love your loved ones. Be careful not only for your driving, but the ones around as well,” Politte said.

Politte and son return to routines

Politte said Kolbie has returned to school. Politte works in Ohio and has driven back, despite his anxiousness about being on the road.

Some families of those who died or were impacted in the crash have GoFundMe pages:

Pam Webb’s son, Chase, died in the crash. You can donate here. Read our previous coverage about Chase Webb here.

The family of three of the victims also have a page, and you can donate here.

Another victim of the crash is now in critical condition, and you can visit their page to donate here.