Missouri news organizations sue Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports

Two of Missouri's largest news media associations are taking the Missouri State Highway Patrol to court, accusing the agency of illegally withholding the names of people involved in traffic crashes, including those killed on Missouri highways.

The Missouri Press Association and Missouri Broadcasters Association filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court challenging the patrol's decision to remove names and other identifying information from publicly available crash reports.

For nearly 30 years, the Highway Patrol published traffic and boating crash reports online without the disputed redactions.

That changed November 1, 2024, when the agency stopped releasing the names of those involved in crashes through its online reporting system.

The patrol previously said the change was intended to protect crash victims from scammers who used publicly available information to impersonate troopers and demand money.

At the time, the agency said advances in technology and social media had increased the risks associated with releasing victims' names. Information including age, gender, injury severity, and city of residence remains publicly available.

However, the media organizations argue the practice violates Missouri's Sunshine Law, which generally requires law enforcement incident reports to remain open to the public.

The lawsuit alleges the Highway Patrol has continued withholding names and other information even when journalists and citizens submit formal public records requests.

Missouri Press Association Executive Director Chad Stebbins says the decision has left communities without important information about fatal crashes.

"When the government blacks out the name of someone killed on a public road, it is the whole community that is kept in the dark," Stebbins said.

Missouri Broadcasters Association President and CEO Chad Mahoney says member stations have received complaints from residents who were unaware that neighbors or prominent community members had been involved in crashes.

Mahoney argues the information is essential for broadcasters to provide timely and accurate coverage of traffic fatalities and other incidents.

The lawsuit asks a judge to order the Highway Patrol to provide full, unredacted crash reports, restore public access to the information through its online database, and pay civil penalties and attorney's fees.

The court has not yet ruled on the lawsuit.