Deadly accident

Photo by Scott Welton, Staff

An officer surveys an accident scene after a fatal crash Wednesday morning. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, at 9:20 a.m., motorist Christine W. Mitchell, 83, of Malden was headed southbound in the driving lane in New Madrid County on Interstate 55, two miles north of Matthews. Another motorist, William D. Gibbs, 62, of DeSoto was also heading southbound on I-55, but in the passing lane. Mitchell attempted to turn left from the driving lane into a crossover and pulled into the path of Gibbs' vehicle. Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene by New Madrid County Coroner Tim Clayton. Mitchell's passenger, Pamela L. Harrison, 42, of Malden sustained serious injuries and was taken by Arch helicopter to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.