Two killed in separate, local crashes

SIKESTON — A Matthews, Missouri, woman and a Dexter, Missouri, man died in separate crashes within the past week.

Lydia D. DeRossett, 23, of Matthews died of injuries following a single-vehicle crash Monday, July 24 in Stoddard County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 2:35 p.m. on Route Y, eight miles east of Aquilla, as the northbound vehicle driven by DeRossett ran off the road, struck a utility pole and overturned, the Patrol said.DeRossett was transported by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, where she was pronounced dead at 3:23 p.m. by Dr. Charles Swafford.

On Saturday, July 22, Harold B. Walker, 78, of Dexter died following a motorcycle crash in Bollinger County. According to the Patrol, the crash occurred at 11:06 a.m. on Highway 51, four miles north of Zalma, Missouri, as the northbound motorcycle operated by Walker ran off the left side of the road and overturned, ejecting him. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:13 p.m. by Bollinger County Assistant Coroner Lee Gilliam and taken to the Bollinger County morgue.