Elderly driver strikes New Madrid County patrol car on U.S. 61

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

NEW MADRID COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) – A New Madrid County sheriff’s deputy escaped injury early Monday after a vehicle struck his patrol car while he was blocking a lane of U.S. Highway 61 for a downed power line, the sheriff’s office said.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 a.m. south of Highway 80, when an elderly northbound driver collided with the stationary patrol vehicle, pushing it into a ditch. The deputy was not injured. The driver was transported with minor injuries.

U.S. 61 was closed for about one hour while crews responded to the scene. The Matthews Police and Fire Departments assisted.