MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – Liability reports multiple deaths and vehicle fires following a crash on Interstate 57 near Charleston Thursday morning, March 17th.
Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker says there are five confirmed deaths in the crash.
He said a mobile morgue was set up at McMikle’s Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo.
According to Zach Bolden, director of the Mississippi County EMS, it was nebulous as they responded. They believe someone hit the brakes and a chain reaction ensued.
He said about 40-50 vehicles or more were involved.
Bolden has also confirmed multiple deaths. He said one person was taken out of the flight and another helicopter was on the scene.
A few more people were taken to nearby hospitals and some were treated on the spot.
According to Bolden, one or two emergency specialists were taken to hospitals.
After the Missouri State Highway Patrol, shortly before noon, officers and emergency responders in the area continued to process the scene.
Captain John Hotz, director of the Public Information Division with MSHP, said several tractor trailers were involved in the crash.
Accidents are on the 10 to 12 mile markers in both northern and southern orbits.
This is close to Charleston.
The Missouri Department of Transportation closed I-57 in Mississippi County from the Missouri-Illinois border on the Mississippi River to Interstate 55 in Sikeston until further notice.
It is expected to be closed for a few hours.
The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office is asking people not to come to Charleston for any reason until the incident is clear.
According to an alarm from the sheriff’s office app, they said the traffic was making a backup and causing unnecessary danger.
The authorities mediate the traffic.
Traffic is also diverted on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.
Southbound I-57 drivers will be diverted at Cairo Exit 1 on Route 3 North to Cape Girardeau.
Illinois State Police said districts 22 troopers are on the scene traffic control management.
Drivers are asked to find alternative routes in Illinois and Missouri.
To view the MoDOT Traveler Map, click here.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which travels from Kentucky through Illinois and Missouri to US 60 and US 62, will find most alternative routes around the crash site, are already crashing with traffic and are expected to stay that way for hours.
They say anyone traveling from Kentucky west to Missouri should consider a detour across the I-555 Mississippi River Bridge to Dyersburg, or a detour through Cape Girardeau to make a detour from there west.
Other river crossings include:
- I-155 to Caruthersville
- MO Route 74 to Cape Girardeau
- I-255, I-64, I-70, I-270 to St
- I-55 to Memphis, Tenn.
According to Sikeston Department of Public Safety Chief James McMillan, several local emergency crews are responding, including the Regional Homeland Security Response Team. The team consists of first responders from Sikeston, Cape Girardeau and Jackson.
According to the Cairo City Clerk, mutual aid was called from Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky.
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