A tragic hit-and-run incident near Lake of the Ozarks early Sunday morning claimed the life of an Arizona woman, 35-year-old Larose Spencer, who was thrown from a motorcycle during a crash and fatally struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the accident occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Missouri 242, also known as Horseshoe Bend Parkway, near the intersection of Route MM. The motorcycle, driven by a 26-year-old man from Phoenix, Arizona, veered off the left side of the road, struck the median, and overturned. Spencer, also from Phoenix, was thrown from the motorcycle upon impact.
As the motorcycle continued skidding across the road, eventually hitting a curb, the driver sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities confirmed that both individuals were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
However, the tragedy deepened when an unknown vehicle hit Spencer after she was ejected from the motorcycle. The driver of the car fled the scene, leaving Spencer fatally injured on the roadway. She was pronounced dead at the scene by responding authorities.
Missouri State Highway Patrol is now investigating the fatal hit-and-run and is urging the public to come forward with any information about the car that struck Spencer. Troopers have labeled the incident as a “leaving the scene crash,” and Sgt. Tim Fick has requested that anyone with details about the vehicle or driver involved contact the authorities at 573-751-1000.
This marks the 32nd fatal crash investigated by MSHP Troop F in 2024, and investigators are focused on locating the hit-and-run driver responsible for Spencer’s death.