3 injured, gas main damaged during crash in New Madrid County

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A gas main damaged during a car crash shut down traffic on U.S. Highway 61 for five hours Monday in New Madrid County, and it also resulted in injuries for three people.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crashed occurred at 2:50 p.m. on US 61 at Missouri Highway 80 as the southbound vehicle driven by Christopher M. Myers, 25, of East Prairie was stopped in traffic, attempting to make a left turn and was struck in the rear by the southbound vehicle driven by Sonny Copeland, 70, of Kewanee. Copeland's vehicle then ran off the right side of the road and struck a gas main. Motorist Alexa M. Cook, 23, of Portageville who was operating a southbound vehicle attempted to avoid the crash, ran off the right side of the road and struck Copeland's vehicle. A yield sign was also damaged.

Myers received moderate injuries while Copeland and Cook sustained minor injuries. They were transported by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

In addition to the Patrol, assisting at the scene were Matthews Police Department, New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, Matthews Fire Department and New Madrid County Ambulance.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, traffic was shut down on U. S. Highway 61 from Sikeston to north of Kewanee. North and southbound lanes were also shut down from Route HH north of Kewanee to U.S. Highway 60 as well as east and west bound lanes from the cotton gin on Route H in Matthews to I-55 on Route 80.

The sheriff's department reported at 8 p.m. Monday roads were open, but motorists were urged to use caution around 61/80 at Matthews intersection while Liberty Utilities crews made repairs.