Three people were killed last Thursday morning in a head-on crash on U.S. 63 that is still under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Two of the victims – Evelyn S. Hickerson, 68, and Herbert M. Douglas, 89 –– were from Houston. They were pronounced dead at the scene near Simmons about seven miles north of Cabool. The third victim, Lydia Kothe, 66, of Mountain View, was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead by Dr. Lynn Hauenstein.
In less than a week, five fatalities occurred on Texas County roads.
Tpr. Stacy Crewse said the 7:40 a.m. accident occurred as Kothe’s northbound vehicle crossed the centerline and struck Hickerson’s southbound vehicle head-on. Hickerson, who was driving, and Douglas were taken to Evans Funeral Home after they were pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m. by Texas County Sheriff James Sigman, the county’s acting coroner.
Kothe was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. All three victims were wearing seat belts, and both vehicles were totaled.
Sgt. Jeff Kinder said the patrol’s Major Crash Investigative Unit continues to investigate the cause of the accident. Crewse’s report indicated it was unknown if Kothe had drugs or alcohol in her system. Kinder said the crash unit has 30-60 days to complete its report.
Traffic was stopped in both directions before one lane opened at 8:46 a.m.