Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Fayette, MO
Partly Cloudy, 55° F
Advanced search
Log in

Accident Claims Life of CMC Theater Director

Editor
Posted 5/8/04

This van driven by Prof. Martin Kooi (inset) of the Central Methodist College Theater Department ultimately ended-up on its wheels after overturning and coming to rest on the east side of Highway 5 …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Accident Claims Life of CMC Theater Director

Posted
Editor
This van driven by Prof. Martin Kooi (inset) of the Central Methodist College Theater Department ultimately ended-up on its wheels after overturning and coming to rest on the east side of Highway 5 about two miles north of the Fayette city limits. Kooi, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly. (Staff Photo)

A one-vehicle accident on Highway 5 about two miles north of the Fayette city limits has claimed the life of a 43-year-old faculty member at Central Methodist College here.

Martin E. (Marty) Kooi of Glasgow was southbound around 4:15 p.m. Thursday when he apparently lost control of his 1997 Plymouth van.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, hit an embankment and overturned, ejecting the driver who was the only occupant. Kooi was not wearing a seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Howard County Coroner Frank Flaspohler. The van was totaled.

An assistant professor of theater arts and director of CMC's Little Theater, Kooi had just completed his first full year as head of the college's drama department. 'This is a tragic loss for the community and the theater profession,' CMC President Marianne Inman said. 'Marty had an outstanding program and was gifted to an uncommon degree in theater arts.' He had been on the faculty since 1999. He had a B.S. from St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Ind., and an M.F.A. from Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Family friends and law enforcement officials are at a loss as to what may have caused Kooi to lose control of his van. Conditions were normal and the highway is straight at the site. A student traveling in tandem with Kooi viewed the accident from her rearview mirror. She said the vehicles were traveling at the speed limit and there had been no indications of a problem.

Kooi's wife, Janeen, is director of special gifts at the college. There are three daughters, aged 8, 12 and 15.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service.
JHS

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Other items that may interest you

New mayor, council faced light agenda

Friebe, Shrum sworn-in to Fayette Board of Education

Lifeguards needed for City Pool

Opposition to parallel parking voiced at public forum

© Copyright 2024 The Fayette Advertiser | Copyright/Terms of Use
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions