OWENSVILLE — A rural Owensville girl died Sunday afternoon on her family’s farm near the Tea community after the 2021 Polaris Ranger she was a passenger in overturned in a mowed pasture.

Family friends confirmed the deceased 11-year-old was Elise Frolker, a fifth-grade student at Owensville Elementary School. She was riding in the Ranger with an 11-year-old friend as the girls were driving south checking on the Frolker family’s cattle in the 3700 block of Blocks Branch Road, west of the Tea community. 

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the Ranger overturned in a field around 4:40 p.m. Sept. 29. The driver, who was not identified in the MSHP report, was wearing a seat belt and received moderate injuries. She was transported to Mercy Washington by Gerald Area Ambulance District personnel for treatment. Frolker, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead by Gasconade County Coroner Jeff Arnold at 5:15 p.m.

Arnold said the cause of death was listed as “crushing chest injuries.”

Arnold, who is also chief of the Owensville Volunteer Fire Department, said the incident took place in a “grassy pasture” approximately 3,000 yards northeast of the family’s home. He said the crash team investigating the incident had determined there was no apparent signs the vehicle had skidded. It appeared, he said, the driver “turned hard, the wheel caught, and layed it over on its side.”

Frolker’s body was transported to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson on Monday said the Gasconade County R-2 School District will provide mental health services for students who need someone to talk to about losing their classmate.

“District counselors, family school liaisons, and counselors from Hermann Hospital and Compass will be available tomorrow and in the coming days,” Johnson said.

The Ranger received extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Triple L Towing.