A routine evening at the lake turned deadly Tuesday when a 60-year-old man from Clark died after his pickup and boat trailer slipped into the water at a Lake Ozark boat ramp.
The truck and trailer went under at the ramp on River Road, with the driver still inside. He was unable to escape and was later pronounced dead at the scene. A 66-year-old woman who had been securing a boat to the trailer fell between the truck and trailer during the chaos, suffering minor injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Crews later pulled the submerged pickup and trailer from the water and shut down the ramp while they worked.
Official crash report
According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident happened around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at 245 River Road in Lake Ozark. The driver was backing a 2016 Ram and trailer toward the boat ramp when the vehicle and trailer continued moving backward into the water until both were fully submerged.
The report states the driver could not get out of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by Miller County Coroner Christopher Birdsong at 6:39 p.m. The 66-year-old woman was treated at the scene and transported to Lake Regional for further care.
Response at the ramp
Lake Ozark police, the Lake Ozark Fire Department, Miller County deputies and members of the Highway Patrol's major crash team all responded to the ramp. The pickup was eventually towed from the water by Hi Tech, according to local coverage.
As reported by KY3, the crash was Troop F’s eighth fatality in June and the 33rd roadway fatality for 2026, underscoring how quickly a familiar task like launching a boat can turn tragic.
Boat-ramp safety reminders
For many lake regulars, launching and loading a boat is second nature. Still, a sloped, wet ramp with a running vehicle, a heavy trailer and people moving around it can be a risky mix.
Safety advocates recommend keeping the tow vehicle’s front wheels on solid, dry ground whenever possible, setting the parking brake and using wheel chocks before stepping away from the cab, and avoiding standing between a vehicle and trailer while the rig is moving, even slowly. For more detailed guidance on trailering and launch safety, see tips from the Safe Boating Campaign.
Investigation ongoing
The Highway Patrol’s major crash team is continuing to investigate what caused the pickup and trailer to keep rolling back into the water. Investigators say the reason remains unknown, and next of kin have been notified.
Additional local reporting on the incident and the patrol’s preliminary findings is available from KTTN.
