Police release name of woman killed in crash on I-55

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A Sturdivant woman died in a crash Wednesday on Interstate 55 between two commercial motor vehicles on Wednesday, February 22.

Around 2:55 p.m., officers with the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the 93.2 southbound mile marker on Interstate 55 for a motor vehicle crash.

The crash involved a 2016 white Mac CXU truck pulling an empty trailer. It was driving by Blaine Milam, 35, of Sturdivant. Redawn Milam, 36, of Sturdivant was a passenger.

Eric Leake, 45, of Fulton was driving a 2015 Red International LF517 truck pulling an empty trailer.

The initial investigation revealed that Leake was northbound on Interstate 55 at the 93.2 mile marker and left the road on the left (west) side into the median.

According to Leake and a witness, the truck hydroplaned before leaving the roadway.

When Leake’s vehicle entered into the median it continued across and traveled through the guardrail where the cab came to rest in the inner passing lane of the southbound lanes of Interstate 55, according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Milam’s vehicle was traveling south on Interstate 55 and struck Leake’s vehicle.

Milam was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center with severe injuries and later transported to St. Louis University Hospital.

Leake was later taken Saint Francis Medical Center for minor injuries.

Traffic was shut down on the interstate while crews responded.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cape Girardeau Fire Department, Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Office, Cape County Private Ambulance, and MoDOT assisted the Cape Girardeau Police Department.