Waste Connections truck crashes into Cape Girardeau apartment complex

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – UPDATE: A commercial trash truck crashed into an apartment building Friday morning, killing the driver.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the scene, where they performed searches to confirm all occupants were out of the building. Tow trucks were used to remove the vehicle, allowing rescue crews to extricate the trapped driver.

The driver’s name is being withheld pending notification of family. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The apartment building has been deemed uninhabitable until repairs can be made. Property management is working with city inspectors to ensure the building’s safety.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department was assisted at the scene by multiple agencies, including the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Jackson Fire Rescue, and the Gordonville Fire Protection District.

From Fire Chief, Randy Morris-

Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to a report of a commercial trash truck that had

struck a building with a driver still inside and people still in the apartment. The initial response

included one engine, one ladder, and a Battalion Chief. The first arriving chief officer arrived

and due to the extent of the incident upgraded to a 1st alarm assignment and activated the

Region E Homeland Security Response Team to assist with the structural collapse and

extrication. Initial units on scene performed primary and secondary searches of the apartment

building and all occupants were confirmed out of the structure. Tow trucks were requested to

assist with removing the truck from the building to gain access to the driver. Once the vehicle

was removed from the building, rescue crews extricated the trapped driver from the vehicle. We

are sad to report that the driver was deceased upon removal. Name of the deceased is being

withheld pending notification of family. Fire and Rescue crews remained on scene until the

vehicle was secured by the tow company. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The apartment building is not habitable until significant repairs can be made. Property

management is working closely with city inspectors on repairs and maintaining the safety of the

building.

We would like to thank the following agencies for assisting at the scene: JSH Towing, Midwest

Towing, CCPA, Jackson Fire Rescue, Sikeston DPS, Cape Girardeau Police and Public Works,

and Gordonville Fire Protection District. East County Fire Protection District, Scott City FD,

Fruitland Fire Protection District, and off duty Cape Girardeau FD personnel were called in to

backfill stations.