Victim remains unidentified after 10-vehicle crash near Joplin
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Authorities are still trying to identify one of the victims killed Wednesday in a 10-vehicle crash on I-44 near Joplin. The Missouri accident, which involved two tractor-trailers, killed two and injured five others.
The unidentified male was badly burned by fires that broke out as a result of the accident. Authorities are attempting to use dental records to identify the victim and his name could be known later this week, according to the Springfield News-Leader.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the chain-reaction crash occurred because a dense fog had formed along that stretch of I-44. A line of cars had slowed because of the limited visibility when the two tractor-trailers crashed into the line of cars and ignited the fire.
Anthony Embrey, 41, was one of two people killed by the crash. He was in one of the first vehicles hit by the tractor-trailers.
The crash report listed five other injures, including serious injuries to Bernave Esquirel, 52; Julie Allison, 41; and Ricky Allison, 62. The serious injuries were treated at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield with the Julie and Ricky Allison's injuries being so severe, they were air lifted to the medical facility. The other, less severely injured victims sought treatment at various local hospitals.
The tractor-trailer crash has already sparked discussion about the safety of area highways. The Joplin Globe published an editorial challenging the Missouri Department of Transportation to examine whether more safety measures are needed to protect motorists in severe fog. The editorial points out that flashing lights are used on I-70 in Rocheport to warn motorists crossing the Missouri River of dense fog. Other states have also installed automated warning systems to help prevent crashes in low visibility fog situations.
