Charges Filed in Fatal New Year's Eve Traffic Crash

A man is charged in the death of a person as the result of a traffic accident New Year's Eve.

Brian Woltersdorf faces several felony counts including Driving While Intoxicated after the vehicle he was driving collided with a vehicle on Highway 376 near the Henning State Park around 5:45 p.m. December 31 of last year. One of five people in the other vehicle died while the other four were injured. 

After an investigation by the Branson Police Department, a warrant was issued by the Taney County Prosecutor's office for Woltersdorf's arrest and he was taken into custody earlier this week. 

The complete release from the City of Branson is below:

The Branson Police Department has completed its investigation related to the fatal crash that happened December 31, 2021, on Highway 376 near Henning State Park and has resulted in the Taney County Prosecutor’s office charging 34-year-old Branson resident, Brian Woltersdorf with several offenses, including DWI and Death of a Person.

At approximately 5:48 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2021, the Branson Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 376 west of Henning State Park. Woltersdorf was the driver of a 2008 Toyota Tacoma and was driving northbound on State Highway 376. Woltersdorf’s truck crossed the center of the roadway and into the path of a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Impala. The Chevy Impala was occupied by five people. Four of them were transported by ambulance to area hospitals. The fifth passenger from the Chevrolet Impala was pronounced deceased on scene by the Taney County Coroner. The force of the collision caused Woltersdorf to be ejected from his truck. Woltersdorf was also transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.

Brian Woltersdorf has been charged with the criminal offenses of DWI and Death of a Person (Felony B) and 4 counts of DWI with Serious Physical Injury (Felony D). The Taney County Court issued a warrant for his arrest with a $200,000 bond on July 15, 2022. Woltersdorf was taken into custody on July 20, 2022.

Throughout the investigation, the victim and the victim’s family have remained in the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Branson Police Department and it sends its sincere condolences. The Department also reminds all drivers that driving while intoxicated has severe consequences.