Victims are identified
NEW MADRID -- Identities of drivers and specifics related to Thursday's double fatality involving two-tractor trailer units in New Madrid County have been released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
According to patrol reports, motorists Eugene E. Riggs, 56, of DeSoto and David R. Galloway, 48, of Buckner, Ill., were traveling southbound on Interstate 55 early Thursday. Then at 12:43 a.m. near mile marker 44, about four miles south of New Madrid, the accident occurred as Riggs ran his freightliner off the right side of the roadway, struck several trees, overturned and returned to roadway. Galloway's vehicle then struck Riggs' overturned unit, forcing both vehicles off the left side of the roadway and into the median. Both vehicles caught fire, and Riggs was ejected from his vehicle. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene -- Riggs at 1:15 a.m. and Galloway at 1:40 a.m. -- by New Madrid County Coroner Jim McSpadden.