Missouri woman killed when SUV hit by tractor-trailer
Shirley Riffe, 47, was killed Sunday when a tractor-trailer hit a SUV on the shoulder of eastbound Interstate 44 in Franklin County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Riffe was a passenger in the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban SUV, which had sustained a flat tire. The SUV, and the boat it was towing, pulled to a stop on the shoulder while Shirley and Donald Riffe, 46, changed the tire.
At approximately 1:40 p.m., a tractor-trailer driven by Faron Billeck, 44, left the roadway and crashed into the SUV and boat trailer. The boat was thrown from the trailer and struck Shirley Riffe.
Shirley Riffe was pronounced dead at the scene. Five others sustained minor injuries including Billeck and Donald Riffe. All of the injuries were treated at St. John’s Hospital in Washington, Mo.
Authorities are investigating what could have caused Billeck to lose control of his truck. The Highway Patrol did not release the name of the trucking company Billeck works for, but he is licensed in Texas.
