A deadly crash in southeast Missouri is hitting the town of Farmington hard.
Sunday afternoon’s crash took the lives of Richard Augustine and Debbie Smith.
Augustine and Smith were on a charity motorcycle ride a few miles west of Patton, Missouri, in Bollinger County when their motorcycle was hit by an oncoming pickup truck driven by a suspected drunk driver.
The truck driver, 49 year-old Paul Patton, was arrested at the scene of the accident and was charged Monday with two counts of felony involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol and the painkiller Percocet. If convicted, Patton could spend between five and fifteen years behind bars.
Augustine and Smith were well-known in and around Farmington for their friendliness, caring attitudes and helpfulness in their community.
Augustine was a long-time special education teacher in the Farmington School District. Former co-worker and friend, Jerry Will, described Augustine as a lover of education who had a positive impact on hundreds of young lives over the course of more than two decades.
Smith made her living as a hair stylist at Synergy Salon and Spa in Farmington. Former co-worker Tara Wimmer said via Facebook, “We are all devastated right now... Debbie had such a big heart. Everyone loved her and she would do anything for anyone. She hasn't had the easiest life yet always had a positive outlook. “
Will, who was a client of Smith’s, says she was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to know.
Will told NewsChannel 5 Augustine and Smith will be sorely missed.
“When you look at a Facebook page today you don’t scroll more than a frame without seeing the name Debbie Smith or Rick Augustine. They’ve had a huge impact and left a huge hole in the community.”
If you would like to help donate to the family of Debbie Smith, visit the GoFundMe page setup in her name.
