Missouri Trooper Killed In Troop Car Fire
Board, 2003-05-23

The PBA regrets to announce the tragic death of yet another state trooper in a Crown Victoria troop car fire. Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Newton, age 25, was killed on May 22, 2003 near Odessa when he was trapped inside his troop car as it burst into flames after being struck from behind as he made a traffic stop. Trooper Newton is survived by a wife and 2 young children.

The driver of the vehicle Trooper Newton had stopped was sitting in the troop car when it was struck, but was pulled from the car by witnesses at the scene. He is hospitalized with third degree burns over forty percent of his body.

The PBA of the NYS Troopers and other police departments have charged that the Crown Vic is prone to bursting into flame upon rear impact. This is particularly alarming as the Missouri State Highway Patrol officials confirmed that Newton’s car was a 2003 Crown Victoria that had new shields in place designed to protect the gas tank from punctures caused by sharp components located near the rear axle.