Three people were killed 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.
The patrol said the 7:40 a.m. accident occurred as the vehicles struck head on. Hickerson, who was driving, and her uncle 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.
Traffic was stopped in both directions before one lane opened at 8:46 a.m.
The cause of the accident is undetermined as the patrol’s Major Crash Investigative Unit continues to investigate.
Three people were killed Thursday morning in a head-on crash on U.S. 63.